Binghamton concert honors cancer survivors, caregivers in June: What to know
The Binghamton Downtown Singers and Orchestra will honor survivors, relatives and caregivers of people with breast cancer during their annual spring concert on June 8.
Many of the singers in The Binghamton Downtown Singers have either had cancer, had relatives or friends who have battled the disease or have treated the disease.
“A lot of us have been touched by cancer,” said Robert Manners, interim artistic director of the Downtown Singers.
“Sing For the Cure: A Proclamation of Hope,” is one of the featured pieces to be performed by the downtown singers during their spring concert on June 8. Called “Love, Harmony and Spirit,” the concert also features “Five Mystical Songs” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and “Chariot Jubilee” by R. Nathaniel Dett.
This concert is one of two main concerts the singers give each year. They also perform Handel’s “Messiah” every December.
“Sing for the Cure” is a choral collection based on true stories of breast cancer survivors and written by several different composers but united in their message of bravery and love. The piece was commissioned to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from the singers’ purchase of the music. First written in 2000, “Sing for the Cure” will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, Manners said.
“It’s a one of a kind piece,” Manners said. “It’s like a cycle of songs.”
“Sing for the Cure” has 10 choruses and narrations, Manners said.
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“These choruses and narrations tell the story of breast cancer,” he said. “It’s quite interesting because you get a different perspective with each chorus.”
One chorus features the patient’s perspective. There are also choruses from the perspectives of doctors and nurses, partners, daughters and community, Manners said.
One chorus is called “Borrowed Time.” Another is called “The Promise Lives On.” There’s also one called “Facing Diagnosis,” “The Partner’s Voice,” “The Community’s Voice” and “Who Will Speak,.” according to “Sing for the Cure.”
Tracy Davidson will serve as the guest narrator for the piece, Manners said. She is an Emmy-award winning journalist from NBC 10 News in Philadelphia, a motivational speaker and a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2015.
Manners said the choir wanted to show their support for patients, survivors and caregivers of breast cancer and other types of cancer. Many singers have personal experiences of some type of cancer.
“A lot of our performers can understand and relate to different parts of each chorus,” he said. “I know there are nurses in the choir that might be the ones to give the diagnosis or to see the test results. There are some mothers in the choir that have lost a child.”
Manners said he hopes the singers’ performance of “Sing for the Cure” will inspire audience members.
“It’s our job as singers to move the audience,” he said. “I hope they’re uplifted. I hope that they’re given some hope.”
If you go
The Downtown Singers will present their annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. June 8 at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 308 Main St., Johnson City.
The concert will feature R. Nataniel Dett's "The Chariot Jubilee" with guest soloist Tshombe Selby, tenor; Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Five Mystical Songs" with guest soloist Timothy LeFebvre, baritone; and "Sing for the Cure: A Proclamation of Hope" (various composers) with guest narrator Tracy Davidson.
General admission tickets cost $21 for online/credit card purchases and $20 cash/check at downtownsingers.org/tickets, (607) 205-8741, [email protected] or at the door. One student is admitted free for each paid adult.
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton Downtown Singers honor cancer survivors, caregivers in song
