Hope and Harmony is about opening hearts and giving a little, and classical pianist David Fraser is doing his bit.

The St. Albert resident is performing tonight at this annual benefit concert for Getting Ready for Inclusion Today. GRIT is an early childhood program for young children two to five years with developmental disabilities.

Folk-pop singer Martin Kerr and the vocal beauty of Tenor Power complete the headline acts while Edmonton Oiler Jason Strudwick picks up the hosting duties.

A champagne and appetizer reception launches the evening followed by a post-concert reception of dessert and hot toddies. Hope and Harmony is held at the Royal Alberta Museum tonight at 6 p.m.

“A fundraising concert like this not only gives people in the community an opportunity to come together and support a wonderful cause, but by being there and showing support for families – it can be a rough road for some – you are showing they are cared for by the larger community. And that is very important to families,” says Fraser, a King’s College music student.

The young pianist first heard of the benefit concert two years ago when another St. Albert musician, saxophonist Charles Stolte, was unable to participate. Fraser stepped in by playing both a solo and a duet.

“It was a really full audience and everyone was engaged. It was a high-calibre event and I was impressed with how well organized and well put together it was,” he said.

This time around Fraser plays the first movement of Brahms Piano Sonata in C Major, a work filled with flurry, emotion and vigour.

“It’s a really cool piece. Right now I’m 20 and Brahms was around 20 when he wrote the piece. It’s kind of cool to get inside his head when he was my age,” says Fraser.

“It’s quite intense, full of passion and energy. It’s a bold piece.”

Tickets are $50 and are available online www.gritprogram.com/hopeandharmony.html or call 780-454-9910.

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