The Medicinal Strings is a non-profit bluegrass-folk band on a mission to share, promote, and inspire the arts within the lives of those most in need.
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February 1, 2008
The Medicinal Strings Foundation
5017 Oak Bend Lane
Edina, MN 55436

Dear Sir or Madam,

I write to acknowledge the Medicinal Strings Foundation’s recent gift of $1000 to Cristo Rey New York High School, in support of our music program. We greatly appreciate your support of our school and of our mission to provide a quality college preparatory education to students from low-income families in New York City.

It’s an exciting time here at Cristo Rey. Our graduating seniors are working hard on their classes and jobs, and we are beginning to hear of our first college acceptances! 107 of our 302 students earned academic honors last quarter, while 96% of our students received “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings from their Corporate Work-Study supervisors—the highest percentage ever!

Cristo Rey is changing lives, and this good work would not be possible without your support.

With gratitude,

 Sincerely,

Joseph P. Parkes, S.J.
President

The Medicinal Strings Summer 2007 Chautauqua Kick-off Newsletter

After their non-profit tour of 2006 came to end, the members of The Medicinal Strings assumed their respective studies in Chicago, Chile, Europe, Minnesota, and St. Louis. Now that summer is here, the group is back in action and ready to play over fifty non-profit concerts in June and July of 2007! Following two weeks of administrative and musical preparation in May, the band will begin playing shows in Denver on the first of June. From there, The Medicinal Strings will travel to Omaha, St. Louis, Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul to carry out their mission of sharing, promoting and inspiring the arts within the lives of those most in need.

This year, The Medicinal Strings have added some new and exciting aspects to their band and to their summer Chautauqua. First and foremost, Jessica Holland, a vocalist and aspiring fiddle player, is the band's newest member. The Medicinal Strings are proud to have her aboard! The Strings also have a new album for sale with thirteen original tracks and are filming a documentary in order to record and preserve the stories, images and experiences of each site visit.

With twenty-five new sites on their calendar, the band will offer performances of empowerment by inviting more audience participation this summer. In between their songs, The Medicinal Strings will encourage community members to actively participate by sharing poetry, art, stories or other talents they might have. By taking the stage and assuming responsibility, marginalized citizens are, in turn, inspired to do so within their own communities. The Medicinal Strings believe that underserved individuals should not be passive audience observers, but rather active and confident performers on the world's stage. Overall, these communities have the right to music and The Medicinal Strings are proud to provide this right free of charge through a quality, interactive performance. This emotional service breaks down economic and social barriers and effects a mutual transformation which enriches all the lives involved.

Thank you for your friendship and come support the band at our fundraising concerts: June 8th in Denver at Swallow Hill Folk Center at 8:00 and July 27th in Minneapolis at the Frey Residence at 6:00. Let's keep breaking down barriers with bluegrass!

Love, The Medicinal Strings Don’t forget to keep in touch! themedicinalstrings@gmail.com www.themedicinalstrings.com