WORCESTER — Tensions have been rising nationwide over
cuts to Federal funding
to
the National Institutes of Health
and other government agencies that fund scientific research. For many who are opposed to the cuts, the routes of resistance have lead through protest and legislation. For Matt Caranci, the path lead to music.
Caranci is organizing “Songs For Science,” an evening of music to help support science research in the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, and the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.
The event will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight June 20 at the Raven Music Hall, 258 Pleasant St, Worcester. Scheduled performers include Sean Ryder, Serena Kilsmith, Reed Brewer, Ms. Laura Rodriguez, Dan Gay, Gary Hoare and Disposable Darling. According to Caranci, there will also be some special guest speakers from UMass come to talk about how the NIH cuts are impacting their work. The show is all-ages, and there is a suggested donation of $10 to $20 for admission.
“The severe NIH funding cuts has negatively obstructed research funding, grants, and the ability to tackle urgent public health priorities,” says Caranci. “Therefore these NIH funding cuts have created an unsustainable environment for biomedical research and scientific research progress.”
Caranici says that after reading social media posts by
Ryder
, a Worcester musician and scientist, “about how this was impacting his students, and the livelihood of scientists and the potential of harming research, I reached out to him to work together on the benefit event.”Ryder, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biotechnology at UMass Chan, is uniquely situated for this sort of event, having long been a presence on
the local singer-songwriter and country music scenes
, in addition to being outspoken about the recent funding cuts and other political acts which have put American universities in a perilous position.
“Research is woven into the fabric of our city,” says Ryder. “The current and proposed cuts to the NIH and NSF, the changes to research policy, and the anti-immigrant policies of the current administration are impacting our Universities. This event raises awareness and shows that the local music and arts communities stand in solidarity with our researchers, no matter where they are from.”
For singer-songwriter Kilsmith, the event is a chance to do something about a situation that many find overwhelming.
“Often times I people feel we are shouting into the void and getting nowhere with our efforts,” says Kilsmith. “On the other hand, music is a unifier. Protest songs can easily become the anthem of a movement for historical change. Music is a much better delivery system if you want your message to be heard and received.”
Likewise, neo soul and hip-hop artist Rodriguez sees the concert as an opportunity to act in a proactive, positive manner.
“Science research and innovation is crucial to our future,” says Rodriguez. “Our health, our environment, our future generations really depend on it. I really hope this event makes a difference.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette:
With ‘Songs For Science,’ Worcester musicians seek to make a difference in face of cuts
