SOUNDS OF PROMISE CONCERT
Benefitting Homeless Families
A “Resounding” Success
(Delray Beach, March 26, 2012) What does a promise sound like?
To the more than 200 people clapping, tapping their feet, and swaying to the inspirational music, the first “Sounds of Promise” concert held Sunday afternoon, March 25th in the sun-filled sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach was pure joy.
The musical event, sponsored by 12 local merchants and corporations, benefited Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, and featured talent from nine of its 24 participating interfaith congregations which provide safe clean shelter and nutritious meals to local children and their families who are homeless.
“If there was a quintessential definition of family and promise this concert is it: people of all ages and beliefs united through music to give hope to families in need,” said Stephanie Shore, Cantor of Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton and emcee of the event.
Jim Poch, associate music director at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, worked for six months with Family Promise board officer Linda Prior to produce the concert, which Jim described as “something for everyone.”
Part of that “something” was a group that started with hand-made robes and only a few singers able to read music. No worries, as the Chancel Choir of Glades Presbyterian Church, in new robes donated by a choir member, and ably directed by Suzy Schneider, delivered a powerful rendition of Pray For The People.
The power of music was just getting started. “Fasten your seat belts,” warned Brian William Davey, organist of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church of Boca Raton, before wowing the audience with the breathless Toccata from the Fifth Symphony by Widor on what Davey called “one of the finest instruments in South Florida.”
Spirituals, sung in blues-y contralto by local soloist Katie Gilmore, and gutsy baritone by Cantor Steven Hevenstone of B’nai Torah Congregation, Boca Raton, raised goose bumps and the rafters.
The concert rewarded eyes as well as ears. A Praise Band started by guitarist Jeff Waycott and his daughters commanded the stage in their aqua tee-shirts on the backdrop of jewel-tone stained glass. Green palms seen through the clerestory windows in the church “danced” to a beautiful interpretation of Simple Gifts, sung by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton.
And songs like Because All Men Are Brothers, L’Dor Vador (Generation to Generation) and Boundless Love summed up the message.
At the concert’s beginning, Rev. Andrew Sherman, vice president of the board of Family Promise, said, “We hope you will be touched and transformed.” In what was a powerful celebration of community and hope, his words rang true.
Generous sponsors for “Sounds of Promise” included: Stacy Bartels Special Arrangements, BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Boys Farmers Market, the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, Cabot Cheese of Vermont, Costco, Delray Ocean Florist, the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, John Knox Village, Monterrey Supermarket, Poppies Restaurant and Delicatessen, and Talula A Chic Boutique.
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Family Promise is a 501(c)3 interfaith organization helping children and their families who are homeless to achieve lasting independence. Family Promise believes every child deserves a home. A chapter of a national network begun more than 25 years ago, Family Promise of South Palm Beach County is composed of 24 congregations, 1,100 volunteers, and three staff members who offer shelter, food and support services to clients. Since it began operations at the end of 2008, Family Promised has helped 150 children and their families become independent again. Family Promised provided 23,352 meals, 7,784 beds and 38,484 volunteer hours to support local homeless families.
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Media Contact: For more information contact Valerie Smith, Communications Coordinator, at Vandadelray@aol.com, 561-573-2360. Photos available upon request.
Family Promise of South Palm Beach, 1725 S. Federal Highway, Suite B-9, 83-2106, Delray Beach, FL 33483
561-265-3370, www.FamilyPromiseSPBC.org
