By Diane Lefrandt
Photo: Sarah Hall
Cutline: Sing For Something cast members performing “Accentuate the Positive” to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The group will perform Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Charitable events are singing a new song this weekend in Payson.
Provo-based Sing For Something is a group of singers, dancers and musicians who dedicate their performances to giving back. The group will perform a benefit concert entitled “Accentuate the Positive” at Payson’s Peteetneet Museum this weekend in an effort to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 and $4 for groups of five or more. Tickets can be purchased online at singforsomething.com or at the door.
What started out as a desire to perform summer musical theater became a troupe of about 30 performers passionate about singing and the benefits it can bring.
SFS started last summer and continues to delight audiences with their performances. The groups’ combined efforts raised close to $1,000 last summer, said Megan Graves, co-director of SFS. This weekend, the goal is to raise $1,500.
The motivation to perform for a cause brought a host of like minded artists wanting to engage in something meaningful. Members of the Nebo Philharmonic, BYU and UVU music majors and many community members will share their talent in these performances.
“The fact our performances were for a cause motivated a lot of people to participate,” Graves said. “Not only do they love performing, but they love to feel like they are contributing to something greater.”
Singing has its benefits, according to a recent study by the Sidney De Haan Research Center for Arts and Health. The study reveals that being engaged in a valued and meaningful act such as singing brings emotional and physical benefits by contributing to a wider community.
“I think a group of people singing together is uniting,” said Mika Yerman, a senior from Riverton studying advertising. “It reflects in the harmony they create in the community.”
British composer and contributor to National Public Radio, Brian Eno said singing for the community is a key to a long life, according to NPR’s website.
“When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness because … singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community,” Eno said. “That’s one of the great feelings — to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue.”
SFS performers hope to not only raise funds for the foundation, but to also uplift and bring joy to those who attend who have been affected by cancer, Graves said.
“We choose songs that are uplifting,” she said. “All of the Gershwin tunes are about having hope during hard times.”
The SFS troupe is united in its desire to provide meaningful performances.
“That’s the overall theme of our show,” Graves said. “Despite difficulties, we can all make it through and come out singing.”
