CRESTVIEW — Davidson Middle School’s final chorus concert of the year, titled "Sing for Life,” on Tuesday raised money and awareness for a water project underway in Africa.
The event raised nearly $300 for World Vision, an international organization that provides pipelines and clean water to Swaziland, Africa residents. The women and children currently must walk three to six hours to bring unclean water back to their village.
The chorus performed several water-themed numbers including Mary Lynn Lightfoot’s "How Beautiful is the Rain" and "Music of the Sea.”
The concert also featured sixth-graders’ piano compositions including Aaron Cunningham’s “Almost Over" and Landon White’s "Nirvana.”
All 24 eighth-graders were recognized for being chorus members for the past three years, when they each received a chorus medal toward the end of the concert. Many gave solo performances.
Catherine Stewart, 14, had mixed emotions about her final middle school performance.
"You’re happy because you’re moving on, but at the same time you don't want to leave," the Crestview High School-bound student said.
Leaving Davidson means leaving chorus director Keitha Bledsoe, who helped Catherine find her voice, the teen said.
The student was proud of the chorus’ philanthropy.
"It makes us happy that our last performance is helping people out that don't have clean water," she said.
Catherine’s mother, Joy Stewart, appreciated the message the concert provided.
"I think it’s good for the kids to know … how underprivileged other people are compared to the privileges they have," she said. "It's great that they did this to help other people."
Crestview dentist Dr. Jennifer Wayer was at the concert representing World Vision. Wayer, who has spoken to students about World Vision's Swaziland outreach, said the performances touched her.
"It is absolutely humbling to see," she said. "These students have worked so hard all year long; they sang from the depths of their hearts … it was beautiful."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Davidson concert raises money, awareness for clean water abroad