MUSIC

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, Bering Omega Community Services presents the 16th Annual SING FOR HOPE: An Evening of Art Songs & Arias. Mark W. Kline, M. D., President of Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Texas Children's Hospital, and a true voice of hope will be Bering Omega's Honoray Chair for this 16th annual benefit concert.

The event is set to benefit Bering Omega Community Services, a HIV/AIDS organization. This event raises funds to support Bering Omega's mission of providing compassionate care and hope to low income individuals living with HIV & AIDS.  Sing for Hope is truly an extraordinary musical experience featuring some of the opera world's most prominent and rising stars as they perform classical arias and popular Broadway hits.  Their voices bring people from all over Houston to suppor this wonderful cause, making this evening one of Houston's most renowned social events.

The HSPVA Chorus, CANTARE Houston, VOX-the Rob Seible Singers and a cast of opera singers will perform at the event.

Former Bering Omega hospice volunteer and internationally-recognized soprano Camille Zamora  founded the event exclusively for Bering Omega sizteen years ago.

"I founded Sing for Hope in memory of my friend who spent his final days at Omega House, the residential hospice program of Bering Omega," Zamora said.  "Although AIDS is no longer front page news the way it was several years ago, the need for care is more pressing than ever.  In the U.S., the largest change in HIV infection is not, unfortunately, any miniution, but rather simply a shift in demographics, with increasing rates of infection among lower-income women and young adults."

Dan Snare, president of Bering Omega Community Services, said this year's event is expected to raise more than $250,000. He said the volunteerism of the artists and performers is evidence of an "amazing and selfless contribution."

"This is so much more than just a fundraising event," Snare said.  "These truly outstanding artists represent everything that is good and caring about volunteering and philanthropy in our country. Their leadership inspires our local donors, volunteers, staff and our entire community."

As in last year's performance, SING FOR HOPE will take place at the Cullen Hall of the Wortham Theater Center, and as always the night will feature amazing talent from internationally-renowned opera performers.

For more information, visit www.beringomega.org  or call 713-529-6071.