Trio Désirée and Don Thompson support the Virage foundation

THE IDEA!

As a musician (vocalist) I have always wanted to make a connection with mankind through my music because you can touch people very deeply and in different ways when you make music from the bottom of your heart.

Many people in today's society face daily challenges and I believe that those challenges can be easier to face if we feel real empathy with the world around us.

I did some research by talking to friends and strangers: people are struggling and although they manage to survive somehow, they often feel left alone.

For this reason I started looking for a way to make a difference in their lives.

My first stop was the VIRAGE Foundation. It is an agency that provides assistance during cancer treatment. VIRAGE also helps people with reintegrate into society and gives them back their dignity.

Finally I have found my first platform where music can make a change by giving people hope, freedom and a measure of peace in their daily life.


WHY A CD?

We will make a recording with jazzy-classical music, with standards and songs composed by the great Don Thompson.


In 2010 I founded Trio Désirée with cellist Coenraad Bloemendal and harpist Erica Goodman, both renowned Canadian musicians. Through Coenraad I met Don Thompson, who helped us by composing a piece for our group called "Autumn Nostalgia". And so we started this wonderful journey combining jazz with classical music!

Thanks to Don's magical jazzy arrangements, I am able to sing with my classically trained voice in a jazz style. This unique approach has opened up a hidden world of of truth and beauty that I had never before experienced. Don's musical sensitivity has touched us all.

Later, in 2016, the VIRAGE Foundation will organize a fundraising event where we will perform songs from our new CD. We will give the CD's to the foundation to help them in order for them to raise money and give people pleasure at the same time.

This is the start of real empathy, real help and end to isolation!


HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Every time you donate a dollar, you will help twice:

- to build awareness of people with cancer
- by supporting the fine work of the VIRAGE foundation


We have a total of $12'000 to reach our goal and to make a difference in someone's life. We are planning some more fundraisers to meet this goal including some concerts, but we cannot reach our goal without your help, too.

If we reach the suggested amount, funds raised by PayPal or credit Card will be sent to our PayPal or account at the end of our campaign and we will make a recording in Toronto at Inception Sound with the great Chad Irschick (sound engineer), Don Thompson (piano, vibes), Coenraad Bloemendal (cello), Erica Goodman (harp) and Désirée Till (soprano).

Later on in 2016, VIRAGE will organize a concert for us where we will officially donate CD's to the Foundation. VIRAGE will sell the donated CDs and uses them for its activities.

If we do not reach our goal, all contributions will be refunded within 3-5 business days, we won't be able to make a recording nor spread the feeling of empathy as we would like to do!

So let's focus on positive thoughts; let's hope, let's fund and make some music!


OR HELP IN A DIFFERENT WAY!
If you cannot contribute, but still want to show your empathy ... no problem! You can still help to get this recording done by doing the following:


1. Tell everyone you know about our wonderful project. Please SHARE this campaign on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, your blog, etc.

2. LIKE our Facebook page to stay informed

3. You can always contact Désirée with questions or ideas: erdecare@gmail.com.


WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
It will cost us $12,000 CAD to make this recording. This amount covers all direct expenses related to the recording.
It is not a salary for the musicians.

Once the recording is finished, ERDECO recordings will prepare it for online distribution.



A BIG THANK YOU ... for your help and your caring for other people by saying it with music!