Sing Out Youth Music Festival Raises Awareness and Funds for Lung Cancer Research

Performers to Honor Memory of

Former Brookline Superintendent of Schools James Walsh

Talented vocal and instrumental student musicians join in concert to benefit lung cancer awareness and research at the Sing Out Youth Music Festival, on Sunday, May 18, from 4 to 6 pm, Brookline High School, 115 Greenough Street, Brookline.  Featured performers include: Northeastern University’s Unity Gospel Ensemble, PALS Children’s Chorus, New Best Western Band, and Brookline High School’s a capella groups, including Note-a-Fly, Testostertones and Perfect Pitch. These gleeful young musicians perform songs from classical, jazz, American Songbook and rock and roll repertoire to honor beloved Brookline educator, James Walsh, who lost his life to lung cancer in 2009. Walsh’s widow, Barbara, serves as co-chair for the festivities.  The emcee for the afternoon is celebrated WBZ radio personality Jordan Rich.

Sing Out is the first annual youth music festival produced by Upstage Lung Cancer, an all-volunteer non-profit organization in their 6th year of utilizing the performing arts to help erase the stigma of lung cancer, and raise awareness and funds for research on early detection and new treatments for the disease. This innovative charity dedicates all event proceeds to fulfill their mission through private house concerts, concerts in the park, and this year, their 6th annual Fall cabaret concert features the music of Dean Martin and the Rat Pack in Boston.  To date, they have partnered with LUNGevity Foundation to fund $800,000 in research grants, including a 2-year grant to Dr. Rebecca Heist of Mass General Hospital Cancer Center for innovative research in tumor genetics which will lead to earlier detection and improved targeted therapies, and to Dr. Feng Jiang of the University of Maryland for developing a method of early detection using saliva.

Superintendent Walsh was known to the entire Brookline community as a joyful and committed educator who loved the performing arts, and tackled big issues with intellect, passion and humor. His widow, Barbara Walsh, serves as co-chair for the benefit performance.  Students participating in this musical festival offer their preparation and performance towards fulfilling their school’s public service curriculum. Their involvement raises funds for lung cancer research, while raising awareness that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer, more than breast, ovarian, uterine and colon cancer combined. 

Upstage Lung Cancer is a unique in that it is an organization supporting their mission through the performing arts.  Sing Out has provided the platform to invite choruses and musical groups from the greater Boston area to join in this artistic venture, which also provides service learning for students.

“As a singer I know that it is easier to talk about something as serious as lung cancer if it is embedded in musical entertainment,” says Hildy Grossman, Founder/President of Upstage Lung Cancer, as well as a lung cancer survivor.  “It’s a little bit like Mary Poppins said - a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.  People who attend our concerts leave in good spirits, more knowledgeable about lung cancer, and with an interest in trying to help.”  

Discounted tickets are available through May 1, $20 for adults, $15 for students/teachers/seniors by purchasing online at www.upstagelungcancer.org.  Special reserved seating benefactor tickets are available for $100.  After May 1, tickets are priced at $25 for adults, $20 for students/teachers/seniors.  Tickets are available through Brookline High School by contacting Paul Priestly at SingOutPP@gmail.com or by calling 617-290-0527.  Tickets are also available by visiting Brookline Booksmith at 279 Harvard Street, or at Brookline Teen Center at 40 Aspinwall Avenue, Brookline.

Ticket sales are limited to the venue’s capacity, advance purchases are recommended.  For more information about Upstage Lung Cancer, email info@upstagelungcancer.org, call 617-835-9722 or follow us on Facebook.