From a press release:
Fort Wayne’s Voices of Unity Youth Choir, under the direction of Marshall White, will perform August 14 at an invitation-only grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Also performing will be legendary rocker Stephen Stills, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and young Fort Wayne singing sensation Marnee Shaffer. Former NFL quarterback and University of Notre Dame star Joe Theismann will serve as master of ceremonies.
The evening event in the Indianapolis Colts’ new home will be treated to tours, buffets featuring a variety of cuisine, and the opening of the stadium’s retractable roof.
The Voices of Unity Youth Choir, an arm of Unity Performing Arts Foundation (UPAF), is endorsed by the Indianapolis Colts and has performed several times in the RCA Dome, including at a nationally televised NFL kickoff event in September 2007 and in January 2008.
At the August 14 grand opening, the choir will sing the “National Anthem” and “America the Beautiful.”
“It’s an honor to be asked to participate in an historical occasion such as this,” said White. “The Voices of Unity was the last group to perform at a Colts game in the RCA Dome in January 2008, and will be among the first groups to perform in the new Lucas Oil Stadium.
“UPAF students are fortunate to be exposed to high-profile events like this,” he said. “This type of exposure helps build pride, confidence and self-esteem in young people. It also helps build the image of Fort Wayne throughout the country – that not only do we have very special young people but we have an organization like UPAF that’s raising the bar for our youth.”
UPAF is best known as a multi-faceted youth performing arts organization. But just as important, White said, is its youth development mission, which focuses on a variety of character-building and leadership skills.
Official Unity Performing Arts Foundation website
Related Images:
