When the 2004 tsunami crushed the coast of Indonesia, relief flooded in faster than the rushing water of the tidal wave. While others looked at the tsunami as a distant event, R.J. Reynolds High School and a cappella groups did their best to make a difference.
The A Cappella Jam for Hope was established as a means of fundraising for the disaster in Indonesia. People enjoyed the concert so much they began wondering why it was not orchestrated every year.
“This was something people would buy into,” Reynolds chorus teacher Terry Hicks said.
After the great level of interest, the Jam was turned into an annual event that has donated money to dozens of foundations and organizations, including Hospice, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Backpacks for Kids, and various scholarships, aid groups and cancer research funds.
Junior William Ball, who is in his second year of A Cappella and his third year of chorus, attributed the Jam’s success to the charity donations.
“We usually draw a big crowd,” Ball said, “which is great because the money we raise is donated.”
Hicks believes that last year’s A Cappella Jam for Hope was the most successful yet. He estimates that 1,400 people attended. With a minimum door donation of $5, that’s at least $7,000 raised for various charities and organizations.
With this said, this year’s A Cappella Jam for Hope has a lot to live up to. The ninth annual Jam is taking place Saturday (Jan. 11) at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium.
This year’s event is lacking as many sponsors as last year, resulting in a portion of the profits needing to be used for chorus expenses, but Hicks still thinks there is a chance that this year will be the best yet in terms of attendance and donations.
“I long for the day … that I will see the whole auditorium packed,” Hicks said.
There is no reason that this year’s unique concert should not be better than any of the previous eight. In addition to RJR’s singers and groups from Glenn and Mount Tabor, talented college a cappella groups from Appalachian State and North Carolina also will be performing. Some of them contain singers who attended Reynolds. Hicks said the show is styled along the lines of the television hit, “The Sing-Off.”
“Everyone is very talented and gifted in singing,” Ball said. “We all have a good time together.”
The A Cappella Jam for Hope is donating its profits this year to a scholarship fund for students in the WS/FCS system to attend the summer enrichment program for theater arts as well as to Backpacks for Kids. The fundraiser is billed as a fun-for-all-ages event that is entertaining for the whole family. The pieces performed are all arranged by the students themselves, making the show an example of student expression and freedom. The creative nature of the event makes it a hit.
“It is a real family friendly show,” Hicks said. “It is sort of funny and entertaining.”
The A Cappella Jam for Hope has intentionally been scheduled to run into as few other conflicting events as possible. Consider it the perfect study break on the weekend before exams: Come support your classmates and think about all the good the event is doing in the community.
“It’s a great exercise of what power music can have in a community,” Hicks said.