The Delta Upsilon Fraternity at the University of North Dakota (UND) is set to host a concert on February 22, 2024, to support the Backpack Program, which provides essential food supplies to local school children for their weekend meals. The event will feature renowned music professors Nariaki Sugiura and Simona Barbu performing as “Duo Cantabile.” This concert is the inaugural event in the series titled “Music with a Mission,” taking place at the fraternity house located at 421 Princeton St.
The concert, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., will present a delightful program called “Songs of Love and Romance.” Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres provided by Scott and Rachel Franz, owners of Ely’s Ivy, alongside selected red and white wines. Tours of the newly constructed $8 million fraternity house will also be available. Admission to the concert, which includes the performance and a reception, is priced at $15 per person.
To maximize the impact of this fundraising effort, attendees are encouraged to consider a donation of $100 or more. This additional contribution aims to significantly assist the Backpack Program, which serves the nutritional needs of low-income K-12 students in the region. Individuals unable to attend can also support the initiative through tax-deductible donations made online.
Impact of the Backpack Program
The Backpack Program offers food assistance to approximately 1,500 food-insecure K-12 students in the Greater Grand Forks area. Each Friday during the school year, eligible students receive backpacks filled with nutritious food items, ensuring they have adequate meals over the weekend. Local United Way volunteers discreetly pack these backpacks to maintain student privacy. The program incurs costs of about $9,000 per weekend, totaling $36,000 per month, according to the United Way.
The objective of the “Music with a Mission” series is to raise at least $9,000 from this concert, with a stretch goal of $36,000 to fund an entire month of food supplies. Community co-chairs Donna Hastings and Jonathan Geiger have also initiated a $2,500 challenge grant to further support this cause. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region, where contributions are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Distinguished Performers and Their Contributions
Sugiura and Barbu, both accomplished musicians and educators, formed the ensemble “Duo Cantabile” in 2012. They have performed extensively around the globe, delivering concerts, lectures, and master classes at prestigious institutions. In 2023, they founded the Medora Music Academy, where they serve as artistic directors, enhancing musical education in the Upper Midwest.
The program on February 22 will feature an array of compositions, including “Four Seasons for Cello and Piano” by Jonas Fisher and “Salut d’Amour” by Edward Elgar, among others. A special guest, Art Malloy, the Vice President for Student Affairs at UND, will also perform a beloved love song during the event.
In addition to supporting the Backpack Program, this concert provides fraternity members a chance to engage in charitable giving and learn the importance of networking in a business context. Jonathan Geiger, a member and alumnus of Delta Upsilon, emphasized the fraternity’s commitment to community service and educational support.
The Delta Upsilon Fraternity has been a part of the UND campus for 65 years and has developed a nonprofit foundation aimed at funding educational programming, scholarships, and leadership development. The fraternity values collaboration with faculty and administrators who share its commitment to justice, character, and community engagement.
This concert represents a significant opportunity for the Grand Forks community to come together, enjoy a cultural experience, and support a vital program that addresses food insecurity among local students. Those interested in attending or supporting the event can purchase tickets or make donations through the provided online link.
