After Surviving COVID-19, Violin Instructor Gary Capozziello Plays to Help Other Musicians

Gary Capozziello and Angela Choi '21 performing with the Hotchkiss Philharmonic in 2019

After he recovered from COVID-19 last summer, Hartford Symphony violinist Gary Capozziello, who teaches violin at Hotchkiss and is the concertmaster of the Hotchkiss Philharmonic, launched a fundraiser to help Connecticut musicians who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic. 

He posted videos of himself playing solo violin pieces on Facebook and raised nearly $7,000 by the time the fundraiser ended in October. The money is being used for an artist relief fund managed by the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

On his Facebook page titled “Help Me Create a COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund,” Capozziello posted videos of himself playing separate movements from by J.S. Bach’s “Partita #3″ and Belgian composer Eugène Ysaÿe’s “Sonata for Solo Violin,” and he ended the fundraiser by performing a livestreamed recital.

Capozziello feels fortunate that he is able to help, and even to play violin again. He was sick all of May, bedridden for more than three weeks, and was unable to play his violin.

“With this new start, I found myself inspired to devote my artistry to help my fellow musicians," he said in article in the Hartford Courant.

“Musicians devote their entire lives to bringing music and joy into our lives. Let's help give back to them now as they are struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table.”

Gary Capozziello video still from fundraiser

 

Hotchkiss Social

Hotchkiss Facebook
    @TheHotchkissSchool
    Hotchkiss Instagram
      @HotchkissSchool
      Hotchkiss Twitter 
        @HotchkissSchool
        Hotchkiss Instagram
          @HotchkissDining