The voices of four choirs will be singing to help put an end to human trafficking at the second annual Kids Helping Kids Concert.
Held April 27 at the Cochrane Alliance Church, this year’s concert will have doubled in size, adding two more choirs to the playbill, said organizer Erica Phare-Bergh. Joining last year’s entertainers — the Cochrane Children’s Choir and the Rocky Mountain College Children’s Choir — will be the Bearspaw Christian School Chorus and Harmony through Harmony.
“Last year was such a success,” said Phare-Bergh, adding the 2012 concert raised more than $800 for Uganda’s Music for Life program. “This year, we’re hoping to raise more than double that number. It’s such a worthy cause.”
This year, the funds will be put towards the International Justice Mission, an organization that works to change policies to support the oppressed and combat the injustices caused by human trafficking. According to the organization’s website, eight establishments where children were bought and sold for sex were closed in 2009 as a result of the International Justice Mission’s hard work.
“It’s a really good organization,” said Phare-Bergh. “We’re not just throwing money at random causes. Each of the group’s we donate to, we know someone who is involved at some level.”
In addition to the music, one of the conductors with Harmony through Harmony will be presenting on the work of the foundation. The singing troupe, which was established in 2009, uses music and art to build communities, raise awareness and fight for justice for the oppressed.
Because of the global reach of the group, Phare-Bergh said she’s aiming to create an international flavour through the music of the choir’s she conducts: the Cochrane Children’s Choir and the Rocky Mountain College Children’s Choir.
All four of the choirs will be performing a solo set before coming together for a set at the end of the evening. Between the four groups, Phare-Bergh said the audience will be taking in more than 100 voices.
The annual concert is the brainchild of Phare-Bergh, who brought the idea to Cochrane after taking part in a similar concert concept in Montreal, Que.
“All the junior choirs would come together and raise funds for different childrens’ organizations,” she said. “It was just such a great way to raise awareness for the projects, give back, and to come together as choirs and as a community.”
The second annual Kids Helping Kids Concert is scheduled to kick off at the Cochrane Alliance Church, April 27, at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free.
To learn more about the work of the International Justice Mission, visit ijm.ca.
