MCHS Haiti-benefit concert set

The Madison County High School Guitar Club is looking for music lovers to attend its “This Is How You Can Help” benefit concert for Haiti.
The concert is set for 4-11 p.m. Friday, March 19 in the MCHS auditorium and is open to all types of musical performers, the club co-leader and MCHS teacher Jackie Cullen said.

“We just appreciate that (people) are willing to come and play, it’s all about collecting as much money as we can to donate to Haiti,” Cullen said in an interview last month. “We’re not just looking for kid bands like we usually do for Battle of the Bands or things like that, we’re looking for a whole variety to come in – jazz, country (and others) that would bring a lot of people in from the community.”

There are no entry fees for performers who want to sign up for a time slot, according to Cullen, who is currently focused on getting as many acts as possible. The club decided to have the benefit concert while it was working on putting together a Battle of the Bands – an event the group normally has every year.

“We usually do a Battle of the Bands every year … with our guitar club so this year we started to talk and came up with the idea to possibly do a benefit concert for Haiti (instead),” Cullen said. “We talked to (fellow MCHS teacher) Katherine Johnson who does the Cultural Studies class and she said that her class had picked Haiti as their project also, so they’re going to be helping us put this whole concert together.”

While the group had initially discussed the time lag between the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti and the March concert, co-leader and MCHS teacher Perry McSherry said the date of the concert emphasizes the need for continued aid.

“Initially we were a little concerned that we had delayed it so long,” McSherry said. “But on the other hand I think it’s nice for people to be reminded that the need goes on even when the initial crisis has passed. People need to be reminded that the need remains.”

The group lacks a fund-raising goal. Organizers will charge a $2 per person entry fee or $5 for a family. The event is geared for everyone, not just high school students. However, Cullen said, people are welcome to donate more, or to volunteer for the night. The money will go to the American Red Cross Haiti-relief program. Its reps may be coming to talk with students at the high school.

“For $2 you get a full night of music but it’s (also) about the cause,” Cullen said. “We’re happy to do something as a group.”

Unlike the group’s Battle of the Band events, anyone is welcome to perform not just groups including high school students. Performers currently signed up will be offering a mix of tunes include gospel, rock, county, blues and 70s rock.

“Usually the Battle of the Bands is metal bands, kid bands from high schools,” Cullen said. “We’re trying to bring – we know there are a lot of talented people in the community so that’s what we’re trying to do – incorporate all these talented people in the community who would like to play for the benefit concert.”

For information or to sign up to play, contact Jackie Cullen at the high school at (540) 948-3785, ext. 4007 or Jcullen@Madisonschools.k12.va.us. There will be an organizational meeting for performers 6p.m. Monday, March 15 at MCHS.

Performers include:

• Emily Cole – piano soloist.

• Kayla Titman – soloist.

• Damascus Road – gospel group.

• Zack MC Mullen – rap performer.

• Joe French – singing group.

• Kayla Pence – singer with guitar.

• Amisville Gospel – gospel group.

• De-Railed – classic rock band.

• Antioch Baptist Church – gospel group.

• Chad Linthicum – soloist.

• Don Tebett – rock and county performer.

• Cashless Society – classic rock band.

• Edge of Insanity – metal band.

• Mandorla – rock band.

• Shield Brothers – new age rock band.

• Numb Incision – rock and metal band.

What – “This Is How You Can Help” Haiti-benefit concert.
When – 4-11 p.m. Friday, March 19.
Where – Madison County High School’s auditorium.
Admission – $2 per person or $5 per family.