The Delta Upsilon Fraternity at the University of North Dakota (UND) is set to host a concert on February 22, 2024, aimed at raising funds for the Backpack Program, which provides essential food assistance to school children in the region. The event will feature performances by UND music professors Nariaki Sugiura and Simona Barbu, collectively known as “Duo Cantabile,” and will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the fraternity house located at 421 Princeton Street.
This concert is the inaugural event in a series called “Music with a Mission.” The duo will present a program titled “Songs of Love and Romance” in the fraternity’s newly constructed, $8 million house. Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres provided by Scott and Rachel Franz, the owners of Ely’s Ivy, paired with selected red and white wines. A tour of the fraternity house will also be available for guests.
Supporting Food-Insecure Students
Admission to the concert, which includes both the performance and a reception, is set at $15 per person. As this is a fundraising initiative, attendees are encouraged to consider making a larger contribution of $100 or more to significantly impact the lives of low-income K-12 students who require nutritional support over the weekends. Those unable to attend can still contribute through tax-deductible donations made online.
The Backpack Program serves approximately 1,500 food-insecure K-12 students in the Greater Grand Forks area. Every Friday during the school year, eligible students discreetly receive backpacks filled with meals for the weekend, including items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and juices. This vital service costs about $9,000 each weekend, totaling $36,000 monthly, according to the local United Way.
The goal for the “Music with a Mission” series is to raise a minimum of $9,000, with an ambitious target of $36,000 to fund an entire month of meals. Community co-chairs Donna Hastings and Jonathan Geiger have issued a challenge grant of $2,500 to encourage donations. Contributions are processed through the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region, with checks directed to their address, ensuring all donations are tax-deductible where permitted.
Noteworthy Performers
Both Sugiura and Barbu are distinguished musicians and educators, having established Duo Cantabile in 2012. They have performed globally, offering clinics and master classes at prestigious institutions. In 2023, they founded the Medora Music Academy, enhancing educational opportunities in the Upper Midwest.
The program on February 22 will feature a selection of pieces, including “Four Seasons for Cello and Piano” by Jonas Fisher, “Salut d’Amour” by Edward Elgar, and several arrangements by the duo. A special guest, Art Malloy, UND’s Vice President for Student Affairs, will also entertain attendees with a performance of his favorite love song.
In addition to assisting the Backpack Program, the event serves to instill a sense of charitable giving among fraternity members and emphasizes the importance of social skills in a business context. Geiger, who became a member of Delta Upsilon in November, highlights the fraternity’s longstanding commitment to community engagement.
Delta Upsilon has been part of the UND campus for 65 years, and its members actively participate in creating a nonprofit foundation to support educational initiatives, scholarships, and leadership development. Alumni like Lynn Luckow regularly return to Grand Forks to mentor current students and enhance their educational experiences.
For those interested in supporting the Backpack Program, tickets for the concert can be purchased, or donations can be made through the event’s dedicated online platform at https://bit.ly/DeltaUBackpack.