UPMC Health Plan Announces Key Support for "Concert for Peace" to Benefit Ukrainian War Refugees

Pittsburgh (March 28, 2022) – As part of a community-led effort to provide humanitarian support to Ukrainian refugees, UPMC Health Plan today confirmed their major financial support of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s free, “Concert for Peace” relief fundraising performance on April 2.

“UPMC Health Plan is proud to support this wonderful event,” said Diane Holder, President and CEO, UPMC Health Plan. “The concert demonstrates our region’s support for Ukrainian refugees. That the event is a concert is especially appropriate, because music is uplifting in times of crisis.”

According to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Manfred Honeck and the orchestra will be joined by special guest artists in the performance supporting of humanitarian relief for the people of Ukraine, at Heinz Hall on April 2, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Specifically, Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony will welcome Pittsburgh Symphony musician Marta Krechkovsky, violin; Leif Ove Andsnes, piano; the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus; Duquesne University’s Voices of Spirit and the Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists.

The concert will also be livestreamed on the Pittsburgh Symphony’s digital platform Front Row (psofrontrow.org), and broadcast live by WQED-FM (89.3) with host Jim Cunningham.

Though there is no charge to attend or stream the concert, the Pittsburgh Symphony those who do attend or stream the concert are encouraged to make donations to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine via United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania for this effort. After the concert takes place, it will continue to be available to be streamed on Front Row.

“We offer this Concert of Peace as an expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to support through both music and resources for humanitarian aid the universal values of freedom and human rights that are under violent attack in Ukraine,” said Melia Tourangeau, president, and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “We thank in advance everyone in Pittsburgh and around the world who attend the concert or watch online or listen on air for their generosity, our partners at the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and all of the relief organizations for their dedication and courage. We also thank all of the artists for donating their services, and UPMC Health Plan for major support of this concert.”

Donations from the concert support United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and The Pittsburgh Foundation’s #PghUnitedForUkraine fundraiser. Every dollar raised will help support displaced Ukrainian refugees with basic needs. With the help of the community, the campaign will support those forced out by the violence, providing life-saving relief. Through United Way Worldwide’s network, funds will be distributed to support efforts via United Way Romania, United Way Hungary and Fundacja Dobrych Inicjatyw (Good Initiatives Foundation) in Poland that are working on the ground.

“The relief concert reflects our region’s willingness to stand up and help those in need,” said Holder. “UPMC Health Plan stands with the PSO, United Way and others to help provide much-needed humanitarian relief for those affected by the crisis in the Ukraine.”

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About the Concert for Peace, Program and Participants

Music Director Manfred Honeck will lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in a concert that is planned to be a bit over an hour long, with no intermission, that will feature works for full orchestra and a cappella choir, including works by Ukrainian composers Valentin Silvestrov (arr. Eduard Resatsch), Myroslav Skoryk (arr. Alexander Levkovich), and Mykhailo Verbytsky (arr. Kim Hartquist), as well as Arvo Pärt Dmitri Shostakovich, James MacMillan, Marta Keen, and Antonin Dvorak. The livestream concert will be directed by seven-time Emmy Award winning producer director Habib Azar, the Pittsburgh Symphony’s frequent partner for its outstanding multi-camera digital concerts. All artists are donating their services for this concert.

About UPMC Insurance Services

Serving 4.1 million members, UPMC Insurance Services is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. UPMC Insurance Services includes commercial products from UPMC Health Plan for groups as well as individuals. Commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners®. Government products include Medicare Advantage (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); Medical Assistance (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program (UPMC for Kids), and Community Care Behavioral Health. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.