Tanner Medical Foundation will host the fourth annual Choirs for Cancer, a spectacular night of celebration and song, on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Joshua R. Mabry Center for the Arts at Carrollton High School.
This captivating musical experience will feature luminaries such as renowned gospel singer and songwriter Babbie Mason. Mason is the recipient of two Dove awards and has earned 11 Dove Award nominations, as well as Grammy and Stellar Award nominations. In 2010, Mason was inducted into the Christian Music Hall Of Fame.
Also taking the stage will be Homegrown Band. Founded by brothers, bassist Kevin Brannon and vocalist/guitarist Craig Brannon, this local favorite has been a staple on the west Georgia/east Alabama music scene for half a decade. Their distinct, recognizable sound is completed with drummer Jason Cole, guitarist Nick Ivey and vocalist Megan Blair.
The Georgia Spiritual Ensemble will bring to life the depth and musical genius of traditional spirituals as they perform at Choirs for Cancer. The ensemble—which includes Debra Crampton, Timothy Harper, Selina Madison, Dr. Oral Moses, Mazelle Webster and Johnetta Tillman—has had numerous national and international successes.
Humorist Kenn Kington also will join the entertaining mix of exceptional talent. Kington has appeared on Comedy Central and his comedy projects have been featured on multiple cable networks during the past two decades. He is also a popular comedian on satellite radio.
The Tanner Physician Musicians, whose melodic gifts are as inspiring as their medical talents, will be led by Terry Lowry, conductor and music director for the Carroll Symphony Orchestra. They will perform with the Carroll Community Wind Ensemble, a local symphonic band that performs classic band literature by composers such as Percy Grainger, John Philip Sousa and John Barnes Chance.
The Carrollton Cultural Arts Teen Theatre Program will perform selections from Les Miserables, led by award-winning director Kathy Waldrop. Waldrop has also directed Choirs for Cancer since its inception.
Plus, for the first time ever, The Choirs for Cancer Community Choir will appear in a performance created exclusively for this event. Talented members of local church choirs will be led by Bryant Turner, the minister of music and administration at Roopville Road Baptist Church.
The concert format is new, but the reason is the same. Tanner Medical Foundation’s Choirs for Cancer raises funds to help local cancer patients with medication, treatment and expenses related to their cancer care.
In the last three years, Choirs for Cancer sponsorships, ticket sales and personal fundraising pages have raised nearly $170,000. As a result, 171 local patients have been assisted repeatedly throughout the course of their battle against cancer.
This support will also help launch a sustainable transportation program for local cancer patients in the coming months, addressing a significant—and often-invisible—need for cancer patients to reach their medical appointments.
Donations and ticket purchases can be made at at Tanner Medical Foundation (109 College Street, Carrollton) or by calling 770.812.GIFT (4438). Tickets will also be available at the door.