If Music Be
Currently under construction and opening in phases, IMB features 2,000 square feet of universally accessible lesson and gallery space, complete with an intimate, inclusive chamber music café just one block from Kleinhans Music Hall.
If Music Be is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to using music as a force for community connection and creativity. As a federally recognized charitable entity, all donations to If Music Be are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
This benefit event sold out
text 716-239-0946 for a spot on the waiting list
Future benefits are planned while we navigate construction of our space. Check back for programs featuring Bach’s Goldberg and Joni’s Genius!
Our future home will be 315 Pennsylvania Street, Buffalo, NY 14201
NFTA-Metrobus outbound #3-Grant stops at IMB, inbound stop is 2 blocks away
By day, IMB will be a place for all of us, including folks with diverse learning needs, to take piano and violin lessons, play together with others in a small or large ensemble, gather with friends to improvise, attend an impromptu Chamber Music Reading Party, or simply listen, sing, and play together with other music lovers.
Currently, we offer baby and toddler music classes, studio space, and lessons by appointment. In collaboration with other arts organizations, such as Hallwalls and Sotto Voce Vocal Collective, IMB has hosted residencies for artists from both local and international backgrounds. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of arts and community resources.
For lessons or appointments, please email us at musicbethefoodllc@gmail.com
From Buffalo String Works co-founder,
IMB Founder, Elise Alaimo:
“There’s a huge need for music/art involvement to support mental health and happiness today.
IMB is an inclusive arts space for participation in music and its companion arts, poetry, theater, movement, and visual art.
The creative arts allow us to have a voice, and to use it.”
Here is an example of work we have done in the schools, and plan to continue at IMB, with help from community partners, WNEDTV and M&T Bank’s Band Against Bullying Foundation:
And IMB is more…
The space is also home to IMB Cafe, a place to grab a healthy snack, a quick coffee, or a gourmet treat while waiting for your music experience to begin…
Visit IMB Cafe’s indoor/outdoor listening space…
After an event at Kleinhans, continue down the block to IMB to hear:
MORE MUSIC! ~ a visiting artist
~ an outstanding local group
~ a piano vocal duo or jazz combo
~ a solo improviser, song-stylist or story-teller
~ a lecture-demonstration, comic or puppet performance
Enjoy a gelato or granita, fruit and cheese board, or
sample artisan baked goods including Vegan and GF choices,
perhaps washed down with a variety of
chef-inspired botanical elixirs and zero proof N/A cocktails.
“If music be the food of love, play on…”
~ William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
Renovation and restoration
IMB’s home is a former apothecary/corner drugstore in historic Allentown, itself an architectural gem.
The IMB building is designated by the National Parks Service and the State Historic Preservation Office as a property of historical importance. With a dream team of advisors, architects, artists, engineers, musicians and friends, we are undergoing an extensive historical restoration.
The list of “thank yous” is long and growing– apologies if we have had a lapse and forgotten anyone. We are indebted for the encouragement and wisdom of friends. Our deepest gratitude goes out to Ed Latson for the building and continuing support, Kevin Connors and Josh Kneer at Eco_logic studio, Jill Nowiki and team at Clinton Brown Architects, Bellwether Advisors, Sandy Eisen, Dave Goddard for set-up support funding, City of Light Creative and Consulting, Judith Olin and Guyora Binder, Jim Couvutsakis at DigitalPoster Art.com for the banners and temporary signs, and unlimited support/votes of confidence from many contributing friends including Dave and Sandy Whalen, Kris Altucher, Mark Goldman (for the Jackie Felix paintings!), Bob Sowyrda and Bruce Blackmon for piano moving and new donated bass guitar, Alan Louis and Michelle Reczek at BPS84, Steve Baczkowski at Hallwalls, Mark Whitcomb, Dave and Irene Sipos, Daniel Becker, Becky Rhoney, Krista Seddon, Gail Fischer, Tony Valentin, Chris Culp for website building, Robert Then for the beautifully laser cut logo over our door, Jess Sanna and Mike Bryant at M&T Bank’s Band Against Bullying Foundation, Bob Sendziak at Sendziak/Sroda CPA’s, All the folks at BSW, not least my co-founders Ginny Barron and Yuki Numata Resnick, plus Melissa, Whitney, Isaiah, Evan Courtin, Katie Weissman, and Tyler Adamthwaite, IMB teaching collaborators Leanne Darling and Ana Vafai, singalong collaborator Douglas Lambert, friends and conspirators David Mavis, Mark Stoddard, John Galligan, Colette Carse, Kitty Herrick, supporters Linda Appleby, Carl Spielvogel, Marilyn Roach at Buff State’s SBDC, Aaron Bartley at Fitz Books and Waffles, Anthony James, Debbie Fein, Diane Long, Dorothy Foigelman, Nancy Spector, Ethan Weissman, Dwane Hall, Irving Feldman, Raya Then, Ben Boyar at Northtown Music, Chris Hawley at Eugene V. Debs Hall, Jane Jacobson, Becky Fasanello, Nancy Nuzzo, Charlie and David at Amthor Glass, Dave Dunklin at Sq. Foot Builders, Sal Alaimo Plumbing, Ross Strawbrich, Jocelyn and Jonathan Kasper, Angie and John Kardell, but most of all, Jam Vafai, Evan Vafai, Ana Vafai, and David Bailey. Not to be forgotten: the gifts that continue to give: formative and inspiring memories of Carlo Pinto and Robert Berkman.
IMB’s full restoration should be completed later this century. Thanks for visiting – check back for ongoing progress!
~ Elise (716)239-0946
If Music Be...Home 