Like many of you, I have been alternately in a state of anger or hopelessness regarding the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy at the southern border, resulting in thousands of children separated from their parents, and have been wondering what, if anything, I can do to help.
Then I saw a post by composer Jen Wang regarding her beautiful plan: for a $100 donation to RAICES, an organization dedicated to providing legal help to immigrants and refugees, she would write a 1-minute piece for the solo instrument of your choice. Since that initial post, she has raised over $5000 for RAICES and 10 other composers have joined her in the project, including myself.
If you would like to participate as a commissioner, all you need to do is:
- Donate to the RAICES bond fund
- Send me, Jen, or any of the other composers an email with a screen shot of the receipt
- Let the composer of your choice know the instrument of your choice
It’s that easy! If you can’t donate the full amount, you can donate a smaller amount and join an existing commission. Or you can simply donate and not commission at all! Even if you are not in a position to donate, you can help by sharing the initiative with your own network.
Even after the separation policy was ended, there are still families that need to be reunited, and there is a threat that this could just result in families – together with their children – being detained indefinitely. Whatever you do, please find a way that you can help.