Music's Power to Heal on Display at `Strings Attached' Presentation

Music’s power to heal was at the heart of a captivating presentation on Sunday, Oct. 4th at the River Forest Public Library.

Speaking to an audience of 35 people, “Strings Attached” co-author and River Forest resident Melanie Kupchynsky shared a multi-media presentation that included photographs from her and her father’s life as well recordings of music she performed as young as six years old.

During an extensive question-and-answer segment at the end of the one-hour program, Kupchynsky called the book “a love letter” to her father, Jerry Kupchynsky. A Ukrainian immigrant known as “Mr. K” to his students, he had a profound impact as a New Jersey public high school music teacher for nearly 40 years.

The book’s full name, “Strings Attached: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations,” testifies to his resolve that his music students—regardless of their innate talent—performed to the utmost. His gruff, demanding approach worked wonders in developing perseverance, teamwork, self-discipline, focus, compassion and sensitivity.

Kupchynsky wrote the book with award-winning journalist Joanne Lipman, with whom she performed in a quartet throughout their childhood years, along with the school orchestra. The book was published in 2013 and has earned widespread acclaim, including positive reviews and features in The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Time.com.

The program was jointly sponsored by River Forest Township and the River Forest Public Library. Among those in attendance was Kupchynsky’s husband, Edward Harrison, a musician for the Lyric Opera. Kupchynsky has been a violinist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and their three children all grew up in River Forest—and learned to play the violin.

Her presentation was part of a series geared toward seniors, “Let’s Celebrate Seniors All Year Long.” The programs are especially tailored to seniors, but are free and open to people of all ages, as well as those from outside River Forest and Oak Park.

The final program in the series is on Tuesday, November 3rd, at 2 p.m., at the River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison. Charles Troy will dramatize the story behind the making of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. The presentation comes just in time for the Broadway revival of Fiddler that opens in November.

The series name is inspired by—but not directly associated with— Celebrating Seniors Week, a not-for-profit initiative that culminates in a weeklong series of events every May throughout River Forest, Oak Park and Forest Park. River Forest Township is a strong supporter of Celebrating Seniors.

To learn more about these programs, or any of the other programs or services provided by River Forest Township, please call 708-366-2029 or visit www.RiverForestTownship.org. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiverForestTownship; on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RFTownship.

The River Forest Public Library is online at www.rflib.org, and can be reached at 708-366-5205. On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverForestPublicLibrary

Photo #1: Melanie Kupchynsky signed a copy of “Strings Attached” for attendees, including River Forest Public Library Trustee Kevin Crowell

Photo #2: Since its 2013 publication, “Strings Attached” has gained widespread notoriety that has included reviews and features in The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Time.com. Melanie Kupcynsky’s co-author is acclaimed journalist and longtime friend Joanne Lipman.

Photo #3: River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan introduces Melanie Kupchynsky. Sloan noted that her book club had selected “Strings Attached” as their top book of the year.

Photo #4: Melanie Kupchynsky, who has been with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, with her husband, Edward Harrison, a musician for the Lyric Opera.

Photo #5: Melanie Kupchynsky speaks with one of the 35 people who attended her program at the library.

Photo #6: This slide showed the complex original composition that one of her mentors created for her as a 9-year-old. The visual drew gasps from the audience

(Photos by Inside Edge PR)