Two young members of the Boyertown community will be kicking off the first Saturday of 2014 with A Musical Medley, a concert benefitting pediatric cancer research.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, an array of instrumental pieces will be performed by Emily Outland, 21, on cello and her brother Stephen Outland, 19, on piano.
The pieces will be ranging from selections of the classical Bach Cello Suites to the ‘Piano Guys’ arrangement of ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables.
The evening will celebrate music, life, and those who have fought and are fighting the battle against cancer. A reception will follow the performance.
‘I’ve thought about doing a benefit concert with Stephen before,’ said Emily Outland. ‘Through Diana Smith, I found out about Josh’s Angels.’ The two then worked together to set up the event.
This is will be Outland’s first benefit concert.
The Josh’s Angels Foundation was created in honor of Joshua Gehman, son of Matthew and Cynthia Gehman. Joshua was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme, a brain tumor, in 2008. He passed away at the age of 9 from complications in January 2011.
The goal of the foundation is the raise awareness for pediatric cancer, and also to raise funds towards not only research, but for aiding struggling families as well.
‘They were really excited,’ said Outland, referring to the Gehman family. The event was talked about at last year’s Relay for Life in Boyertown.
Outland and her brother, while they were both home-schooled, were heavily involved in the Boyertown Area School District music program.
Cello became a passion of hers in the fourth grade and she has been playing ever since. While Outland states she has ‘dabbled’ a bit with other instruments, such as the piano, she says the cello is her strong suit.
‘It’s nice to be able to prepare for it with my brother,’ says Outland. She noted that a family friend recently lost their battle with cancer, and this concert also honors them.
‘It’s not about Stephen and I, it’s about what we’re doing it for.’
All proceeds from this event will be donated for pediatric cancer research via Josh’s Angels Foundation.
For more ticket information, contact Diana Smith at 484-680-0200 or Emily Outland at 484-374-5113 to order tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the door if seats are available.
