UNA Chamber Choir to Host Benefit Concert March 24

Feb. 14, 2011

FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama Chamber Choir, an elite 18-voice ensemble, will host a benefit concert March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Florence to help raise travel funds for the choir’s upcoming Costa Rica tour. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and may be purchased from any Chamber Choir student or by calling 256-765-4515.

During its tour of Costa Rica, the choir will take part in the Costa Rican Promising Artists Program, an annual event organized by the Cultural Centre in San Jose. The concert will be a benefit for Proyecto Daniel, an organization to help teenage cancer patients in Costa Rica. The students will also tour churches and schools throughout the country, including San Jose and Arenal.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any student who goes,” said Dr. Ian Loeppky, associate professor and choral director. “We’re talking about some students who have never been out of the country or state, and what you see is that the learning starts before you get on the plane. This is a way for the community to have an active hand in the students’ education.”

The benefit concert will take place two days before the choir leaves for Costa Rica. The choir traveled to Italy in spring 2009 and hosted a similar benefit, which brought in around $7,000 in donations from the community and attracted about 100 people.

For more information, contact Loeppky at 256-765-4515 or irloeppky@una.edu.