By Susan Shinn
sshinn@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó When we say Voices of Hope has a big line-up on Sunday, we mean a really big line-up.
“This is the most performers we’ve ever had,” says organizer Lori Yang. “It’s gonna be tight from 1-4.”
Actually, the music will start a little before 1 at Library Park in Spencer.
“We’ve just had more interest in participation this year,” Yang says. “I guess people know about it more and want to be involved, which is good.”
Admission for the concert is just $2, with children under 12 free. The admission ticket automatically enters you into a raffle.
The event raises funds for the Michael Yang Foundation, founded by Steve and Lori Yang in memory of their son Michael, who died in 2001.
Not only is there music, there’s food and drinks, face painting, games and a balloon release.
Parents of deceased children have given Yang pictures, which she puts in a slide show each year. She added six this year.
The concert is a day ó through the expression of music ó to celebrate life and remember those who have gone on, Yang says.
It’s always held on All Saints Sunday.
As he has since the first concert, Blaine Smith will serve as emcee.
Many new groups and individuals have joined the musical lineup, which includes a variety of praise, gospel, sacred and patriotic music.
Anchoring the lineup is Voices of Praise, a group which formed from the first Voices of Hope concert.
They’ll perform several times during the afternoon ó although not as much as they usually do because other groups have asked to perform.
Those groups include the Amadeus Youth Chorus, Sills Creek AME Zion Church Mass Choir, the St. John’s Men’s Chorus and Brothers in Harmony.
New individuals who are singing this year include Katie Koontz, Anna Johnson and Adam Broyles.
Annabelle Barr, who’s 8, and Ivy Overcash, 9, will sing a song they wrote, “I Will Be Your Friend,” accompanied by Koontz on guitar.
Annabelle is the daughter of Gwin and Matt Barr, and Ivy’s parents and Bryan and Meredith Overcash.
The girls had been rewriting Hannah Montana songs with Christian lyrics, Overcash says, “and they wrote this song about their friendship. They live across the street from each other. It’s how the Lord brought them together and how they have each other and they have him.”
Koontz helped them come up with the accompaniment.
“They love Katie, they love each other and Lord knows they love to be one the stage,” Overcash says.
The duo have been coming to the concert ever since it began, Overcash says.
“The concert must have had some impact on these kids who have come, for them to want to write a song and sing it at this event,” Yang says.
The North Rowan High School Chorus will perform. They have been a part of Voices of Hope every year.
The Salisbury High School Chorus will also sing.
Justin Monroe and Victor Isler, the firefighters who died in March, will be remembered with the song “I Can Only Imagine.”
The Millers Ferry Fire Department will have its hook and ladder truck on display.