VOU choir to sing at Marsh auditorium

On Saturday, April 2, at 7 p.m. The Voices of Unity Youth Choir (VOU) will perform in The Marsh Auditorium. The internationally recognized choir will cap off a month-long program on The Marsh campus titled “Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution.” The day will also include tours of the historic Marsh family Homestead.

George, Hilinda and Katie Marsh left a strong legacy by being compassionate and helping the less fortunate in the Van Wert community. Hilinda, especially, left behind writings that were very spiritual in nature. In her funeral memorial it was quoted, “Many were the days when she went about in her well-provisioned carriage, helping the sick and needy, in the very joy of her Master who went about doing good. In the church (she was) a humble and conscientious follower of the Christ; a leader for years in the Ladies’ Society of the church.  Our sense of loss is deep; we shall ever hold her services in grateful remembrance.”

The Marsh Foundation consistently works to continue that legacy. Activities on April 2 are designed to honor the Marsh family and the legacy they left behind.

Admission to the concert is free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected will then be donated to Van Wert area food banks.

VOU is a unique and exciting soulful choral group from Fort Wayne, Ind., consisting of singers ages 7-19. In July 2010, VOU was invited to represent the United States of America, competing at the highest level in the sixth World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China. The World Choir Games is the largest choir competition in the world and over 400 choirs, comprised of 27,000 singers from 80 countries, competed in various categories. VOU won two gold medals, one in the popular choral music category and one in the gospel and spiritual category, and were also named champions in the gospel and spiritual category.

The choir provides urban and suburban children and youth in the Fort Wayne area the opportunity to learn, study and perform music art forms that are interesting and relevant to their generation. The program focuses on increasing exposure and equipping and empowering youth for the world before them. The choir has performed at many Indianapolis Colts events and shared the stage with artists such as John Mellencamp, Stephen Stills, and Kelly Clarkson. Visit www.upaf.com to learn more.

For those interested in learning more about the Marsh history and seeing the preserved Homestead, tours will be open to the public prior to the concert. Ron Bagley, former Marsh Foundation director, will be leading tours at 1, 1:30, 2 and 6 p.m. Tours, which are free and on a first-come, first-served basis, will last approximately 30 minutes.

For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.