The Third Annual Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert held on April 26th was an evening of high-energy, laughter, tears, amazing music and most of all HOPE! The Hearts of Hope Project is a partnership of the VVS Entertainment Industry Class and the KEYS Program, and was created to help bring hope and comfort to kids with cancer through the power of music. All proceeds raised through this amazing partnership goes to creating and producing special music therapy care packages that are given away to children in hospitals who are suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.
From beginning to end the evening was infused with inspirational stories and “Shout Outs” to dozens of children in hospitals across the United States. A beautiful state-of-the-art sound and light array again adorned the stage thanks to the generosity of SubCat Studios. The event was recorded and live-streamed in order for our KEYS kids to be a part of the magic from their hospital rooms. The video will be posted on our website in the coming week, so those who could not attend may watch this magical night!
VVS Entertainment Industry students along with KEYS musicians wrote songs embracing all genres of music, from rap to folk music. The featured act The Birdseed Bandits came out with one thing in mind, to get the audience on their feet. With their high-energy performance and raw acoustic sounds through the use of banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and piano they left the audience wanting more!
As the night came to a close two very special KEYS kids were honored. Lindsie Peters received an award for her outstanding job as the 2012-13 KEYS Kids Ambassador. During Lindsie’s year, she was able to be the “face” of KEYS kids across the country. As Ambassador, she represented the KEYS Program at Zippy’s Crusade for Kids, a special event hosted by NASCAR crew chief Greg and Nan Zipadelli each year in Inlet, NY. Along with being a special guest, she and her family were able to meet NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and many of the amazing folks from the NASCAR family. Lindsie passed the Ambassador baton over to Hope Inslee, who became the new 2013-14 KEYS Kids Ambassador.
Also honored on this special night was Ernest Gerald Getman who received the Norman J. Reed Legacy Award. This award is given to a member of the Vernon, Verona, Sherrill community who exemplifies the values demonstrated by Mr. Norman J. Reed whose work ethic was based on giving rather than receiving. Norm sought out and developed avenues for students and adults to achieve personal success that included opportunities to serve and give back to the community. Ernest “Jerry” Getman is well known for his hard work and dedication to volunteerism at the local, state and national levels.
This year’s concert could not have been possible without the generosity of many local businesses and volunteers. On behalf of VVS EI Class and the KEYS Program we would like to thank the following supporters:
Apple Betty’s
Black Stallion
Boat Restaurant
Byrne Dairy
Colosseo’s
Dharma Bums String Band
Emilio’s Italian Deli
Franklin Hotel
HP Hood
Joel’s Steakhouse
John Froass & Son
KEYS volunteers
Oneida Savings Bank
Packy’s Pub
Price Chopper – Oneida
Radisson
RISEN
Sherrill Chiropractic
Sherrill Fire Department
SubCat Studios
Teddy’s
Travel Store at Captain John’s
VVS FFA
VVS Music Boosters
Wagon Wheel
Wal-Mart
Zensations
Thank you to WUTR for coming to our Hearts of Hope Concert this year! Here is part I of a two part segment they did that includes some great "behind the scenes" coverage of the event and some great interviews too! http://cnyhomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=178762
Stay tuned for part II...
Check out this story from last year's concert!
WE BELIEVE!
2nd Annual Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert a HUGE Success!
May 18, 2012~ "We believe that teens can positively change the world. They just need to be given the chance. This is their legacy!"
For the amazing teens in the Entertainment Industry Class at VVS High School, the 2nd annual Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert was a special night to CELEBRATE and SHARE the original works they created for KEYS kids. Throughout the school year, they created, recorded and produced original songs, stories, and even instruments, that they donate to the KEYS Program, in order to bring HOPE to kids who are battling cancer, and serious illnesses. This is their chance to share that with the KEYS kids in the audience, with their families and with their community. This year, the celebration was extended beyond the walls of the auditorium, thanks to the quick thinking and help of the computer teachers at VVS. The concert was LIVE streamed to over 700 KEYS kids in children's hospitals across the country, delivering their message of HOPE to the bedside of kids in need.
The magic of the night started even before the concert. Three KEYS families were treated to Meet 'N Greet backstage with the featured performers of the night. The great guys from The Action! donated new guitars to each of the KEYS kids and even taught them a chord or two before the concert! Thank you SO much to The Action for their amazing generosity!!
The concert opened with a return performance by our favorite country music artist, Katie Quick, who graced the stage with her beautiful music and inspirational message of hope. The highlight of her set was when she invited some of the KEYS kids up on stage to perform with her. It was just beautiful!
Next was the FANTASTIC performances by the VVS Entertainment Industry students! Each of the students/groups introduced the song the wrote for KEYS kids, sharing the story behind the song and their inspiration. The students totally rocked the auditorium thanks to the AMAZING sound and lighting provided by SubCat Studios! We are forever grateful to Ron Keck and his crew for providing that experiece for us.
The award-winning band, The Action! came on stage with tons of energy, excitement and fantastic music! The highlight of their performance was when their former bandmate joined them on stage for a special song for the KEYS families. Being a cancer survivor himself, he was so inspirational to the KEYS families, and all of us!
Some special awards were presented at the concert, as well. The first ever, Legacy Award was presented to VVS School Superintendent, Norm Reed, in honor of his contributions to the VVS community and for his support of the Hearts of Hope Project partnership. For the coming years, the Norm Reed Legacy Award will be presented to a person who makes a meaningful contribution to the VVS community, in Mr. Reed's honor.
In addition, each year, KEYS selects an ambassador to be the face of KEYS kids everywhere for the year. Lindsie Peters was named the 2013-14 KEYS Kids Ambassador.
The finale, and most moving and inspiration moment of the concert was the annual tradition of a special performance of the song "Fingertips" written by Katie Quick and rearranged by VVS student Ryan Geer. All of the VVS EI students (past and present), The Action, Katie Quick and all of the KEYS families were invited on stage to celebrate and perform the song as ONE.
Thank you to EVERYONE who made this amazing night possible! Thanks to your support, over $2500 was raised to benefit the KEYS Program. We can't wait till Hearts of Hope 2013!
SubCat Teams Up with Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert
Hear the music...feel the hope!
On Friday, May 18, 2012, at 7:00pm, at the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, the VVS Entertainment Industry Class, along with the KEYS Program will host the second annual Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert.
With help from SubCat Studios, this year’s concert is bigger and better than ever with two award-winning performers, The Action and Katie Quick; there will also be VVS student performers. SubCat Studios will also be outfitting the VVS stage with a complete, professional live sound and lighting array. Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. All seating is by reservation; this is expected to be a sold out show. To purchase tickets, call VVS EI Class at 315-380-9143.
Through the partnership of the KEYS Program, and VVS’s Entertainment Industry Class, special music therapy care packages are created, produced and given away to children in hospitals that are suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses. More than 5,000 kids benefit from this project each year. This year’s concert will also establish an annual recognition award for an individual who makes meaningful contributions in the VVS Community.
The KEYS Program, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, provides comfort and hope to kids with cancer and those in need of healing through music therapy outreach, education, and advocacy. Alongside the KEYS Program is the VVS Entertainment Industry Class, which is a dedicated group of students and teachers who are creating, performing and participating in the business of entertainment. Together, students are provided valuable hands-on experiences with professionals in the music industry, while also having the opportunity to share their talents and gifts to bring hope to those in need.
With SubCat Studios outfitting the stage, and connecting The Action, SubCat is looking to give back to the local communities, and support youth that wish to enter the music industry. Now finishing their latest album at SubCat studios, The Action have been recipients of two Syracuse Area Music Awards: People’s Choice for Best Band in 2008 and Best Alternative Album for Exploding Radio in 2009.
Also performing will be award-winning Nashville recording artist Katie Quick. A long-time supporter of the Hearts of Hope Project, Katie recently launched her own groundbreaking arts and education program called Fingertips, which was inspired from her 2010 Hearts of Hope concert performance at VVS.
In addition to coming out for the show, attendees are invited to bring along a furry friend. Donations of new stuffed animals will be accepted at the concert to include in care packages.
For more information on the event contact:
SubCat Studios – www.subcatstudios.com - 315.478.0684
The KEYS Program - www.theKEYSprogram.org - 315.363.6446 - keysprogram@msn.com
Eileen Hubbard – EI Teacher at VVS – 315.380.9143 - ehubbard@vvsschools.org
Hearts_of_Hope_Radio_Commercial.mp3
Hope for 5,000 Kids...First EVER Hearts of Hope Benefit Concert an Inspirational Night!
The Hearts of Hope benefit concert featuring recording artist, Katie Quick, held on May 20th, 2011 proved to be an inspirational night!
May 20, 2011- Katie, along with VVS Entertainment Industry student performers and KEYS Musicians, showcased the songs they created, recorded and produced for the Hearts of Hope Vol. 1 album. Over 3,000 stuffed animals were collected and 5,000 downloadable music gift cards were purchased to give away to children's hospitals in the coming year.
Thank you all for helping us to bring music, hope and comfort to more than 5,000 kids battling cancer and serious illnesses in the coming year!
