Pitching in for a Good Cause

It was a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect with a warm breeze reminding you of the spring season.

The New Hope Bible Church was the setting for the final Spring 2011 performance of the Kansas City Metro Men's Chorus. Now they will begin preparing for their Fall tour.

This group is made up of approximately 60 men. Most participants appeared to be retired and in the 65+ age range. But they welcome young men too.

Noel Fulkerson is the Artistic Director and Conductor. Cliff Jones is the Assistant Director. Brenda Yeates, serves as the Pianist.

According to their brochure, "From the very beginning the mission of the chorus was to praise God through music and to provide financial help to those in need. Our mission has allowed us to join with our sponsors to give 100% of our concert offerings to various benevolent organizations within the Kansas City metro area. To date, we have helped to raise over $150,000 to aid our sponsors in helping others".

This concert was given to raise funds for The City Union Mission. As part of their annual summer program they help send children to Camp Cumcito in Warsaw, MO. Many of these children come from low income communities and have never had an outdoor camp experience.

The program was only an hour and fifteen minutes in duration with a short intermission. On several of the songs the audience was found clapping their hands to old familiar hymns. The chorus members would often banter back and forth in a humorous way between songs.

The voices of these men blended well with several parts of harmony intertwined in their melodious renderings. Brenda Yeates was a superb piano player. Noel Fulkerson and Cliff Jones shared equal responsibility of conducting.

When it was all said and done $3,000 was collected during the offertory. This was exceptionally well for a medium-sized crowd.

I commend these men for taking the time to spread the gift of music and fund-raising for such good causes.

If you are interested in hosting them for a special event feel free to visit their website at www.kcmmc.org There you can also find information about purchasing their CD's. that are sold for $10.00. You may also write them at KCMMC, P.O. Box 18563, Kansas City, MO 64133. And if you would like to be an underwriter for their upcoming Fall Concert series you can contact them at info@kcmmc.org.

SOURCE:

Personal experience

The Kansas City Metro Men's Chorus Program