If Music Be the Food

“If Music Be the Food…” is a series of benefit concerts which raise awareness and support for our neighbors in the local community who are experiencing food insecurity.

Founded in 2009 by violist Carol Rodland in Rochester, NY, IMBTF has become a national musicians’ movement, with wonderful artists across the country creating projects based upon this idea in their own communities. The complete Shakespeare quote from Twelfth Night captures fully the IMBTF ethos: “If music be the food of love, play on!” Music, food, love…it is all here in what we are doing together with every “If Music Be the Food…” concert.

Each “If Music Be the Food…” chapter has its own Artistic Director and its own partnering food bank. By sharing this simple website and committing to a 100% volunteer operation, we ensure that all monies and food items gathered go directly to our neighbors in the community who are struggling with food insecurity. IMBTF teaches us that by coming together in joyful generosity to share our resources, talents, and time, we can truly make a difference in our communities.

Mimi Hwang, Artistic Director
John Sherer and James Kealey, Administrative Liaisons
Mark Dwyer, Foodlink Liaison

Admission to concerts is cash/check or online donation and/or non-perishable food items.
100% of your donation will go to Foodlink.

Questions? Email Mimi Hwang: mi2hwang@gmail.com

Season 18 Concerts:

Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 25 Westminster Road, Rochester, NY 14607

Program includes: Mallet Quartet by Steve Reich with Eastman Percussion Ensemble (Michael Lee Smith, Makena Maier, Miranda Hughes, Ryan Cozzolino), Michael Burritt, Director and Beethoven’s Piano Quartet, opus 16 (transcription of the original for piano and winds) with Elinor Freer, piano, Wendy Sharp, violin, Marka Gustavsson, viola, and Mimi Hwang, cello

February 7, 2027 at 4 PM Third Presbyterian Church, Meigs St and East Avenue

Featuring David Bowlin, violin and Tony Cho, piano, Andrew Harley, piano

Sunday, April 18, 2027 at 3 PM

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Featuring Alexander Kobrin, piano, Yoojin Jang, violin, and Mimi Hwang, cello