Come out to the Englert and support Alzheimer’s

By Thomas Burrill

In 2002, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive and fatal brain condition. At first, the progression of the disease was shrouded, almost unnoticeable. But as I grew older, warning signs started to emerge. Dates started to slip from his memory; dates soon escalated to his cognitive abilities.

By the time I was in seventh grade, my dad had completely forgotten that I was his own son. I ceased to be anything but a blur in his memory. Soon, he lost all ability to look after himself.

In 2008 he lost his battle with the disease. I was devastated by his death; I grew up knowing that I would lose my father one day, but I never knew that I would lose him so soon.

There are few causes so close to my heart that they would induce me to write something like this, but on this occasion I feel I must.

For the past few months, I've been organizing a benefit Concert for Alzheimer's Research in memory of my dad. This project is part of National Public Radio's From the Top “Peer Leadership Program,” which provides high school-aged classical musicians with intensive arts leadership training, helping them to develop and lead projects in their communities.

I'm appealing to you today for your support for this concert, which is at 7:30 tonight at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. All of the proceeds from the sale of the tickets ($12), and donations made at and before the concert, will go to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, primarily for Alzheimer's Research.

Featured performers at the concert will include some well-known Iowa artists as well as some local rising talents: Anthony Arnone and Carey Bostian, members of the Cedar Rapids Symphony and Orchestra Iowa, respectively, and conductors at Preucil School of Music; a group of saxophonists, Justin Moser, Elizabeth Lin, Kap Mueller and Curt Oren, who are all students at Iowa City West High School and members of Jane Williams' studio; along with a few pianists including myself. A great variety of music will be performed, from Chopin to Rossini to Pascal. It should be a great concert!

Join us at the Englert to celebrate this special occasion. With your help, we can work toward ensuring our future generations the opportunity to live in a world that doesn't have to cope with this terrible disease.

I look forward to meeting you, especially families who have lost someone dear to this disease, or are going through the same experience that I went through.

(More information on the concert is available at www.englert.org)

Thomas Burrill is a freshman at Iowa City West High School.