An Evening of A Cappella

  On April 22, 2006 the Berkshire and Southern Berkshire Self-Advocates hosted “An Evening of A Cappella” concert at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield to benefit the two groups.

  The concert was an experiment of sorts, one that was designed to provide both an evening of entertainment and fun for the people of Berkshire County as well as to educate the local public about self-advocacy for people with disabilities.

   Ann Belcher, Madeline Bialor, Marilyn England and Patty Troy, members of the Berkshire Advocates, volunteered their time to help greet and sell tickets to concert goers for the night of a cappella.

  The self-advocates were also very

fortunate to have volunteers from the community help to make the event possible.  A sincere “Thank you!” to John Williams, sound; Michael Spencer, lights; David Isby of Millennium Music and Whooppee Radio and Nancy Fuore for donating their valuable time to lend a helping hand for self-advocacy.  

   Although there wasn’t a large turnout, the concert still proved a success as listeners tapped their feet and clapped their hands to the sound of talented vocalists. 

  The college groups, the University of Vermont Top Cats and Free Trial from Simon’s Rock College, performed a variety of tunes from “In the Still of the Night” to more contemporary songs of the Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5 and Ashley Simpson.  The Top Cats were even willing to dedicate their version of “Happy Birthday” to a few of the members of the audience.  All of the music was performed “a cappella”, meaning that only vocal sounds made up the performance. 

  The self-advocates plan to hold another a cappella event within the next year to once again raise funds for the two self-advocacy groups.  Group members have set a goal to travel in the Northeast to meet with other self-advocacy groups and compare strategies and ideas. 

  Interested in becoming a member of either the Berkshire or Southern Berkshire Self-Advocates?  Please contact Marie Tiffany Spencer, Advisor, at 499-4241 ext. 265. 

  Would you like to hear the Top Cats or Free Trial?  Visit their websites:

www.uvm.edu/~topcats

www.simons-rock.edu/freetrial

 

Madeline and Barb preparing for the concert goers to arrive. 

Mike Spencer on the lights.

University of Vermont Top Cats

Simon’s Rock Free Trial

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