Music reverberated throughout the sanctuary at Newtown United Methodist Church on January 3, when ten young local musicians lent their talents to a Winter’s Concert supporting Families United in Newtown (FUN).

Created in memory of the late Tyler Jones, FUN is a community recreational program for families with special needs children, teens and adults. Donations received from FUN events, including this concert, support autism awareness programs and underwrite costs for providing monthly programs for families in Newtown and neighboring towns.

FUN is a community project that promotes community service for National Honor Society Students and other volunteers. The model of the program is to provide a safe place for the children to enjoy an activity while the parents can relax. Honor Society students watch the children and learn more about their life challenges.

The free music celebration was presented by the volunteers a community service project. 

Miles Massicotte, from Bristol, played piano and was the concert’s Musical Director; Aimee Alexander of Newtown played trumpet; Brittany Watson and Madi Aug, also of Newtown, and Amanda Goodman of New Fairfield performed as vocalists;  Brendon Fox of Bethel provided guitar and vocals; Austin Jones of Newtown served as a pianist; Lindsey Jones of Newtown performed on violin along with Hafez Tachavi of Danbury; Andy Lafreniere of Southbury played guitar; and Mark Swigart of Nwtown was the event’s flutist.

Among the pieces performed that Sunday afternoon were Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Schubert’s Ave Maria, Purcell’s Sound the Trumpet, “You Raise Me Up” by Loveland and Graham, Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and the emotional highlight finale “The Prayer” by Carol Bayer Sayer. 

Musicians often claim that with music one can communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries in ways that cannot be done with ordinary language. For that reason music is frequently used to bridge communication issues in children and adults with special needs and communication challenges, according to FUN co-founder and concert organizer Linda Jones.

“Our magical musical event did evoke significant emotion among our 150-plus attendees, as some tears were shed during several of the scores,” she added. “Our young performers offered their amazing talents to the community, as a gift of entertainment that supports peace, love and hope as we enter into this new year.” 

Many of the accomplished musicians have played together in the past at Newtown High School, Western Connecticut State University, Suzuki Talent Education School and the annual Autism Awareness Benefit Concert, while some met for the first time during the January 3 event, Ms Jones said. 

Ms Jones and a core group of volunteer supporters have now turned their attention toward organizing FUN’s fourth Annual Autism Benefit Concert, which is being planned for mid to late spring at Newtown Congregational Church.  

For details visit the organization’s Facebook page or familiesunitednewtown.org.