Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010

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Jacob Yates, a junior at Lafayette, says he wants to do all he can to help the quake survivors in Haiti.

A junior at Lafayette High School has pulled together a community fundraiser for earthquake-stricken Haiti called “Concert of Hope.”  

“I thought a concert would be the most effective way for me to help out,” said Jacob Yates, a choir member at Lafayette and a cellist with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras. “The recent disaster in Haiti is probably the biggest disaster that we will see in our lifetimes, and I believe we should do everything we can to aid the people of Haiti.”

Though only 17, he has myriad contacts in area music circles, and the benefit has become a grassroots initiative of talented teenagers and well-known professionals.

Along with dozens of Lafayette choir members and CKYO strings players from several schools, the Feb. 21 concert will feature University of Kentucky opera greats Everett McCorvey and Cynthia Lawrence, and jazz pianist Harry Pickens of Louisville. CKYO conductor Kayoko Dan will lead the strings, with Lafayette teacher Ryan Marsh directing the choir.  

“The sole purpose of the event is to give what we can to Haiti, and it will be entirely volunteer-based, so all proceeds will go 100 percent to the mission,” said Jacob, who has opted to send the money through the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.

“They know what needs to be done in Haiti,” said Jacob, who noted that the Versailles-based group has been active there for more than 30 years.

Marsh commended his choral student for stepping up to coordinate such an ambitious project, which he said should be “musically rewarding and uplifting.”

“We don’t often – with choir – get to make a difference in a larger setting,” Marsh said. The general feeling was: “We do concerts, so why not use this and leverage more support?”

Jacob said everyone has readily agreed to participate.

“It’s a learning experience, knowing how to approach people,” he said. “It’s great that it’s coming together so well.” 

If you go

“Concert of Hope”

What: Fundraiser for Haiti’s earthquake survivors

When: 6 p.m. Sunday Feb. 21

Where: Centenary United Methodist Church, 2800 Tates Creek Road

Admission: $10. Tickets are available from students, at any Central Bank location and at the door.

Proceeds: All funds will be donated to the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.