Consoling Boston Residents And Victims Through Art

BOSTON — Boston arts organizations are hoping to console area residents and victims of the Marathon bombing through music and fundraisers.

Mark Volpe, managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, said many of the BSO musicians are runners — some have run in the Marathon — and they wanted to do their part at this evening's performance. “We’ve decided to dedicate the program to those affected by the bombings, and we’re going to invite any family member of any of the injured and, God forbid, people who lost loved ones as our guest.” He added that some of the BSO players will talk to the audience from the stage.

Volpe said the BSO’s first thoughts are with the victims and their families, but he also admitted he’s grappling with a heightened sense of vulnerability. Plans are in the works to keep Symphony Hall safe and secure. “We already are thinking about the hall, certainly Tanglewood, and then July 4th,” Volpe explained, adding, “that’s probably as large a public gathering as there is in Boston.” The BSO will increase its security presence in Symphony Hall during performances, starting Thursday night. All attendees will now be subjected to mandatory bag checks.

Thursday's program starts at 8 p.m. Andris Poga will conduct "The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra". Members of the orchestra will also perform conductor-less in Britten's "Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury"; Mozart's Serenade No. 11 in E-flat for winds, K.375; Dvorak's "Serenade for Strings"; and Tippett's "Praeludium." The program repeats on Saturday, April 20, 8 p.m.; and Tuesday, April 23, 8 p.m.

Also, seats are free on Thursday through Saturday for the Boston Conservatory's four presentations of "Reflections: Love, Loss and Living."

On May 4 and 18, there'll be "Sing Messiah" fundraisers for victims of the bombing, "Act One" at 1 p.m. May 4 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Cambridge and "Act Two" at 1 p.m. May 18 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Cambridge. All proceeds go to One Fund Boston.

Also:

CraftBoston will donate $1 off the sale of each ticket April 19-21 to One Fund Boston.

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston will collect donations for One Fund Boston during this weekend's performances of "By The Way, Meet Vera Stark."More ARTery stories on art and the Marathon:

Art's Response To Tragedy And Terror

After Surviving Marathon, Curator Revisits His Exhibit About War