Nationally-Recognized Student Orchestra and NJ Rock and Soul Band GoodWorks To Join Musical Talents in Community Concert

HIGHLAND PARK, N.J., February 12, 2015 -- The nationally-recognized Highland Park High School Orchestra, Middle School Sinfonia and New Jersey band GoodWorks will perform classical, and rock and soul music at a concert on Thursday, February 19, 7 p.m. at The Reformed Church of Highland Park. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. All proceeds will benefit the orchestra program.

Led by Director Hsin-Ting Feng, the orchestra will play a variety of musical selections. GoodWorks will perform with the orchestra’s quartet and then play a selection of rock and soul tunes. The concert, named “Sweet Sounds,” will also include coffee and dessert from The Better World Café, the community café based in the church. Several items donated by local businesses will be raffled off.

Community leaders and local business owners Highland Park Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler and Jenni Chapman, chair of the Main Street Highland Park Board of Directors, will serve as guest conductors for the concert. Mittler owns the full-service marketing company All Colors LLC, and Chapman is co-owner of Over the Moon Toys & Through the Moongate.

“Our band name signifies our focus on performing music that benefits good causes through fundraising and building awareness. We are proud to support the outstanding young musicians who perform with the orchestra,” said GoodWorks band leader Paul Lavenhar.

Highland Park High School Orchestra is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In 2012, the ensemble won Gold at the WorldStrides Heritage competition, which enabled them to participate in the Festival of Gold and perform at Carnegie Hall.

The group has also been invited to compete for the Orchestra Cup at the National School Orchestra Championships in March 2015 at Lincoln Center in New York City, where they will perform an original work “Fantasy for Strings” composed by Ben Newhouse.

The orchestra recently received a Community Development Grant from Highland Park’s Park Partners Grant Program, a community service grant program sponsored by the Borough of Highland Park. Funds from the grant will go towards a series of performances at local schools and community organizations. Learn more about the Highland Park Orchestra here: http://204.8.193.135/users/hfeng.

The GoodWorks band has “adopted” the orchestra and is helping with fundraising. The proceeds from the “Sweet Sounds” concert will support the orchestra’s efforts to compete in national competitions.

GoodWorks is the charitable arm of PL Communications, a New Jersey-based marketing communications firm. Founder Paul Lavenhar has worked with many nonprofit organizations and has also been involved in rock bands for the past 30 years. In 2013, Paul founded the rock and soul band “GoodWorks,” which performs music from Joe Cocker to James Brown to Bruce Springsteen, to benefit good causes by raising awareness and funds. GoodWorks produces turnkey fundraising events that include entertainment from the band, a venue and marketing support – at no cost to the organization. GoodWorks has helped a school music program, healthcare foundation, special needs service organization, community arts program and a theater group, among others. For more information, visit www.goodworksband.com.