VoiceGivers Concert: Help and Hope for Vulnerable Children

On Sat., Feb. 29, 2020 at 7 p.m., Holy Family Institute will host a live choir concert in its chapel, produced and performed by VoiceGivers Choir, an organization founded in 2019 that aims to raise awareness of social issues in the Pittsburgh region through music.

Artistic Director Joe Stuligross chose music that reflects upon the needs and experiences of children who have been separated from their families. “We present music that evokes the horrific trauma of separation while highlighting the important work of Holy Family in finding reconciliation.” The choir employs singers who also perform with other prominent local singing groups including Pittsburgh Opera, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Camerata.

The program will include music specifically written by and about children who have been separated from their families, including “Dancing in Buses,” describing a harrowing journey by unaccompanied minors traveling from El Salvador to the United States, and “Away and in Danger,” describing the fears and realities of childhood separation and the importance of community support in bringing reconciliation. The composers of these two pieces, Melissa Dunphy and Shawn Kirchner, are donating their scores for these performances.

“We are proud to host VoiceGivers as it puts on its first-ever season,” says Holy Family Institute’s CEO, Sister Linda Yankoski. “Holy Family Institute’s mission is to restore hope and transform lives in our community and we believe that the arts have an important place in that healing process.”

Suggested donation: $20 at the door. No parking available on campus. Guests may park after 6:30 PM at Sacred Heart Church, 154 Orchard Avenue, lower parking lot only (directly adjacent to Ohio River Blvd.). Shuttles to campus provided.