Over the past year, with crucial support from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Sing for Hope has served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for students, healthcare communities, artists, and the greater New York public by leveraging the power of the arts to transcend barriers, create connections, and unlock creative potential. Guided by the values and inspiration of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Sing for Hope has delivered meaningful outcomes that resonate deeply within the communities we serve.
In February of 2023, renowned visual artist Carling Jackson created two Sing for Hope Pianos designed specifically to reflect the diverse communities of The New York Mets and The Brooklyn Cyclones.
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Diversity Is Our Strength
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Brooklyn Buddies |
On March 23, 2023, the New York Mets-inspired Sing for Hope Piano, Diversity is Our Strength, debuted at the "What’s New at Citi Field" event for press and influencers. Music played by 15-year-old Sing for Hope student and artist partner Ignacio Rosado welcomed guests to the event, and kind remarks from Amazin’ Mets Foundation Co-Head Jane Son introduced the partnership to the gathered press. Media coverage included an article by NY1 journalist David Lazar, who gave Sing for Hope a sizable written section and the final word in a quote from Sing for Hope Co-Founder Camille Zamora, "The Mets are showing that their commitment to the community extends beyond the stadium. It really is about New York City.”
On May 25, 2023, the Cyclones-themed Sing for Hope Piano was launched at the Coney Island Summer Kick-off press conference, hosted annually by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. A special kick-off performance by members of the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus heralded the launch and helped to amplify the Brooklyn Cyclones’ participation at the event. NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Martin “Marty” Maher, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso were among those who stopped to play the piano, share a tune, and snap a photo. Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen stated, “We are thrilled to be working with Sing for Hope on this project and can’t wait for the piano to provide joy not only to our fans but also for those at Maimonides Medical Center when it moves there following our season.”
The Sing for Hope Pianos were available for public play throughout the entire baseball season on game days at Citi Field in Queens and Maimonides Park in Brooklyn.
The generosity of the AMF has enabled Sing for Hope to further develop our strong relationship with Maimonides Medical Center, allowing our programming at Maimonides to continue as a valuable resource for the healthcare community and a solution to the ongoing crisis of artist underemployment.
Beginning March 1, 2023, in partnership with Maimonides’ Patient Experience team, Sing for Hope musicians traveled room-to-room to interact with and play for individual patients, family members, and caregivers for one hour, followed by an hour-long performance for the larger community in the hospital lobby. Initially four times a month, programming increased by the end of the year by 100%, ending at eight times a month.
In addition to Healing Arts programming from Sing for Hope’s roster of diverse professional musicians over the course of the year, the Brooklyn Cyclones-themed Sing for Hope Piano, Brooklyn Buddies, found its permanent home at Maimonides Medical Center in December of 2023.
“On behalf of Maimonides Medical Center, I would like to express our utmost appreciation for the generous piano donation,” said Dr. Nicole Kirchhoffer, Patient Experience Officer. “We are hopeful that having this incredible instrument available will help us integrate music into the healthcare setting. Additionally, the musical performances provided by Sing for Hope this past year have helped foster a transformative and healing experience for patients and their families, as well as staff.”
Deborah Douek, Patient Experience Coordinator, had this moving experience to share: “We have truly seen miracles happen when Sing for Hope’s musicians come to our patients’ bedsides. For example, recently there was a patient who had not been responsive for several weeks. When the musicians started playing, the monitors started going off and I got a little nervous. And then the nurse said, ‘This is a good thing!’ The doctors came and the patient woke up and started tapping along with the music. The doctors were floored. They could not believe that this patient had responded to the music! There was not a dry eye anywhere. It was so beautiful.”
“We at Sing for Hope are so moved by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s commitment to community, which extends to all corners of all five boroughs, with particular emphasis on the institutions—like Maimonides Medical Center—that care for New Yorkers and make NYC great. This Sing for Hope Pianos will live on at Maimonides as a symbol of harmony, innovation, and connection for the healthcare community. Furthermore, thanks to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Sing for Hope continues to be a leader in employing NYC’s greatest creative asset, our professional artist community, in public arts programs that change lives,” said Sing for Hope Co-Founder and opera singer Camille Zamora.
The New York Mets-inspired Sing for Hope Piano entitled Diversity Is Our Strength was placed at Queens Transition Center P752Q at Gateway High School, where it will be utilized by the school’s music department.
With the support of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, classes and program instruction for the Sing for Hope Lab, serving 400+ youth from The Bronx and Southern Westchester County, developed in full force. In addition to daily in-school and after-school arts instruction, the values and supportive community established by our Education program bolstered and positively impacted the young participants. Students had the opportunity to interact with other like-minded students, both nationally and internationally, through our virtual programming, including Careers in the Arts, which introduces youth to varied potential artistic careers, and joint Zoom dance classes shared with students around the world. In the words of the mother of a Sing for Hope student, “My daughter started singing with Sing for Hope after suffering many recent tragedies in our family, and I can't begin to express my gratitude for giving her the opportunity to share her voice. Before, my daughter's heart was broken, and I thought she was going to lose some of her light. Instead, she received this gift. Thank you for putting her in this space and for allowing her to be herself and feel her light once again.”
the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus, our over 100-member-strong choir representing over 15 schools across the NY metro area, provided creative service learning for children and youth ages 6-19 through our innovative multi-age model. A significant highlight of Sing for Hope’s Education Program – and year! – was the opportunity to perform at Maimonides Park during a Brooklyn Cyclones Game. In partnership with Brooklyn Cyclones Assistant General Manager Billy Harner and Jada Bennett on the Fan and Creative Services team, the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus performed before and during the baseball game on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Students wore shirts designed with Sing for Hope and Amazin’ Mets Foundation branding, with the AMF slogan “be amazin’” printed across the back. The students were also delighted to sing “Take Me Out” at the 7th Inning Stretch with the Brooklyn Cyclones’ Mascot himself, King Henry.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation's crucial sponsorship of Sing for Hope’s Community Arts, Healing Arts, and Education programming reignited Sing for Hope’s work with the New York City communities we serve in countless ways. The feedback 1from our students and families, our partners at Maimonides Medical Center, and everyone who experienced the Sing for Hope Pianos at Citi Field and Maimonides Park clearly demonstrated the significant impact of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
Thanks to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, over the past year, Sing for Hope has benefited:
• Over 2500 patients, family members, caregivers, staff, and community stakeholders at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn
• Over 500 under-resourced students from New York City and the surrounding areas, as well as students around the U.S., via our virtual learning initiatives
• Thousands of community members enjoying the Sing for Hope Pianos created for the New York Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones, sparking connection and fostering civic pride or fans and visitors in the SFH Pianos’ summertime homes at Citi Field and Maimonides Park, and permanent homes at Maimonides Medical Center and Queens Transition Center P752Q at Gateway High School
