Versant Power awards gift to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in support of their Music & Wellness Program
Bangor, ME – August 12, 2025 – Versant Power presented the Bangor Symphony Orchestra with a grant in the amount of $5,000 to continue its work within their Music and Wellness Program in area hospitals.
The Music and Wellness Program has been a mission of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra since 2013 with the goal of helping provide comfort and community connection to patients and visitors in local healthcare facilities. Currently, musicians visit St. Joseph’s Hospital weekly to provide music to patients and caregivers, and small chamber music groups formed from Bangor Symphony musicians perform free outreach concerts in the Fall and Spring at the Wabanaki Youth and Cultural Center in downtown Bangor.
“The talented musicians at Bangor Symphony Orchestra are bringing hope and joy to local cancer patients by visiting them in hospitals,” said Versant Power President John Flynn. “We appreciate the opportunity to support this program and know it will continue to have a positive impact in our community.”
BSO musicians Lynn Brubaker and Marisa Solomon currently engage in this program. Lynn Brubaker studied violin at the Oberlin Conservatory, Rice University, and Northern Illinois University. She has worked with the San Diego Symphony and the Houston Symphony, and has now been a longtime member of the Bangor Symphony. She has taught at the University of Maine at Machias, in the Maine public school system, and now teaches privately at RDL strings in Bangor. Marisa Solomon is a longtime member of the Bangor Symphony cello section, holding degrees from the Oberlin College and San Francisco Conservatories. Additionally, Marisa is Director of the Kneisel Hall Program for Maine Students, a member of the Chamber Music Society board at the Collins Center for the Arts, and a Lecturer at the University of Maine.
“Music has been long established to have healing powers. For individuals in recovery, friends and family who are supporting loved ones, and caregivers, the songs our musicians are bringing into St. Joseph’s uplifts spirits and brings joy and peace to those enjoying the music.” says BSO Executive Director Renia Shterenberg. “Additionally, this season our BSO musicians form small chamber music groups and play concerts that are free and open to the public at the Wabanaki Youth and Cultural Center. These free lunchtime concerts are being enjoyed by business people on their lunch break and families with small children, as well as members of the houseless community. All are welcome, and the center is a welcoming environment for classical music. We are grateful to Versant Power and their support which helps us continue to build these programs.”
For further information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Music and Wellness Program, please contact Katie Hardy, Assistant Director of Education and Outreach at katie@bangorsymphony.org
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The Bangor Symphony Orchestra is one of the nation’s oldest continually operating professional orchestras, dedicated to enhancing the cultural landscape of Bangor, Maine, through exceptional live performances, music education, and community engagement. Join us as we continue to perform and celebrate the transformative power of music.
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