"Music has the power to transform lives. Each and every one of us can remember a moment when a song or a piece of music moved us to tears or effected us in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Our life experiences are accompanied by our own personal soundtrack. Sometimes just hearing a tune creates a flashback of our most vivid memories,"
Damian Brezinski, M.D. Cardiology - Wilmington Health

Chords for a Cause is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that utilizes the power of music to bring people together to make a difference. Founded by Damian Brezinski MD, FACC, a Johns Hopkins educated physician and lifelong musician, Chords for a Cause champions the unity music provides by moving and inspiring each and every one of us in different but profound ways. The power of music has ignited our community.

Chords for a Cause unites musicians from classical and popular music annually in the fall for a unique concert at the Kenan Auditorium on the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Campus. Funds are designated to a local cause and volunteers rally to educate and excite the community to achieve the mission. Annual event benefactors are selected based on their medical impact to the individuals and communities we serve.

In 2009, Chords for a Cause fundraising efforts purchased a mobile pediatric intensive care unit for our community. Our pediatric ambulance transforms outcomes in pediatric emergency crisis situations. Simply put, it saves children’s lives.

Can you hear the music…

About Rudi Schlegel, Conductor

In a professional career spanning thirty years Rudi Schlegel has been recognized as a leader in the arts and entertainment fields. Unique in the scope of his versatility and vision, Schlegel has established his reputation as musician, conductor, producer, arts presenter and entertainment promoter. His experience includes: Senior Director of Programming, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, New York (2008), Vice President of Presentations, Woodruff Arts Center/Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta, Georgia (1994-2007), General Manager, Fraze Pavilion for the Arts, Kettering, Ohio (1991-1994), Executive Director, Arts & Education, Great Woods Center for the Arts, Boston, Massachusetts (1987-1991) and Manager, Main Street Program, Massachusetts Department of Economic & Community Development (1986-1987). He has managed Chastain Park Amphitheater (6,900 capacity, Atlanta) Fraze Pavilion (4,200, Dayton), Great Woods (15,000, Boston) and provided feasibility/development counsel for Encore Park for the Arts (12,000 capacity, Atlanta) and White River Amphitheater (18,000 capacity, Seattle) as well as smaller, historic theater venues in Plymouth, New Bedford and Holyoke, Massachusetts.

With the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra he led that institution in the creation of numerous, diverse artistic collaborations with many pop artists including The Decemberists, Patti LaBelle, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, John Pizzarelli, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain, Trisha Yearwood, Lizz Wright and Eileen Ivers. He co-produced both DVD and CD recordings entitled “Home” by Collective Soul and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Rudi Schlegel served as Music Director of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra (Plymouth MA) from 1976 through 1993 and of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (New Bedford MA) from 1978 to 1981.

He has guest conducted pops, special event and symphony performances with the Memphis, Edmonton, Long Beach, Oregon, Charleston (SC), Anderson (SC), Reading, Cobb (GA), Springfield (MA), California, National Arts Centre/Ottawa, Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta, Stamford, Dayton, Chattanooga, Meridian (MS),Vermont and Pittsburgh orchestras. He has been consistently recognized for “creative and innovative” programming, for commissioning nine new classical symphonic works and several hundred pops arrangements/orchestrations from the country’s top composers. As consultant he has served the Houston Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, National Symphony & Library of Congress, Gershwin Estate/Trusts, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (WA) and led the pops programming seminar for the League of American Orchestras. Rudi Schlegel has also been a member of the New York State Foundation for the Arts and a review panelist for the Massachusetts Council on the Arts & Humanities.

Schlegel maintains membership in the League of American Orchestras, International Association of Auditorium Managers, International Entertainment Buyers Association and the Association of Arts Presenters. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree (Music & Theater) at the State University of New York and honorably served his country in the United States Army with active duty during the Vietnam conflict. He and his family make their home in Cartersville, Georgia – a suburb of Atlanta.