What is ‘Vocal Support’
’Vocal Support’ and the Spinal Cord Injury Association
Zack Weinstein
Anderson Wise
April 11th, 2009 Concert Info
Ticket order form

For many years, the two NHS student-led a cappella groups ‘Treble Rebels’ and ‘Subway Dwarves’ have successfully practiced their singing after school hours and performed at many Needham High School and other community events, including participation in the A Cappella Go concert, hosted yearly in November by the Needham Creative Arts Council. At the end of the A Cappella Go concert in November 2008, however, the student singers decided to reach for more: They wanted to establish a Spring event, focused on a cappella singing at the high school and college levels and beyond, and on raising money for a good cause. Thus, the ‘Vocal Support’ concert was conceived.

With the recent addition of a third a cappella group at Needham High School, also performing in the show, this event promises to showcase the entire a cappella spectrum of the Needham High School, along with great examples of college a cappella and semi-pro a cappella music. Come enjoy the original human instrument for a good cause!

This event is sponsored by the Music Performance Club of the Needham High School Student Clubs and Activities. Our thanks to Dr. Neves, director of Fine and Performing Arts, as well as Ms. Cheryl Gosmon, Secretary of Student Activities, for their organizational support in realizing this event. Additional support from the Spinal Cord Injury Association, Greater Boston Chapter, and its director, Mr. David Estrada, is also gratefully acknowledged.

Along with Zack and Andy, ‘Vocal Support’ wishes to invigorate research aimed at repairing and preventing spinal cord injuries and birth defects, and to support the availability of empowerment services for people living with spinal cord defects or injuries. Please help us reach this goal by attending the concert, and by generously donating to this great cause. (Receipt for tax purposes will be provided).

The Spinal Cord Injury Association, Greater Boston Chapter www.sciboston.org, was chosen as the benefitting organization in support of two Needham High School alumni, both wheelchair users:

Zack Weinstein, NHS ’04, was a fully mobile singer and dancer until a low water accident in the summer of 2005 caused a severe spinal cord injury. Zack, a Theater major currently in his last year at Skidmore College, sings with the a cappella group The Skidmore Dynamics, and continues to impress the world with how he is handling his transition to living with a spinal cord injury. Encouraged by the rehabilitation results of the late Christopher Reeve, Zack hopes that further research will enable the healing of spinal cord injuries in the future, and has experienced first-hand the value of support services for spinal injury patients. Meet Zack

Anderson Wise, NHS ’02, was born with spina bifida, which typically impairs the function of the spinal cord below the waist. As a result, most spina bifida patients use a wheel chair for mobility, as does Andy. Adopted as a baby by Needhamites Sally & Dale Wise, Andy credits his parents, as well as the many Foster Care children that they have cared for over the years, with showing him that everyone can overcome their issues. Andy leads a full life as a college student and a paralympic power lifter, and wishes to support research into spina bifida preventability and treatment, as well as support services for spina bifida patients. Meet Andy

When is this year’s event?

This year’s concert will be held at the Needham High School Auditorium on Saturday night, April 11th 2009. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and the doors open at 7:00 pm.

The event performers include:

Needham High School Treble Rebels
Needham High School Subway Dwarves
Skidmore Dynamics
NHS Fermata Nowhere
Firedrill!
NYU N’Harmonics (2008 ICCA 3rd place winner).

To view the event poster, click here.

Tickets are $13 for students and seniors, $17 for adults. Additional donations to the Spinal Cord Injury Association are gratefully accepted and acknowledged with a receipt for tax purposes.

We are expecting a sold out performance and encourage everyone to get their tickets early. The performance is recommended for students ages 8 and up.

Please click here for ticket order form.

Questions?

For questions, please feel free to email Vocal Support chair and concert organizer Sannie Rejndrup