HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University’s schools of music and medicine have teamed up to host a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 513 10th St. in Huntington, featuring the Marshall Wind Symphony and Recovery Point Choir.

Titled “Concert Hope,” the concept was inspired by the musical composition “AMP,” composed by Dr. Scott McAllister in memory of a close friend who died of an overdose. McAllister, who will be in attendance at the concert, will introduce the piece and share his friend’s story. 

“After hearing ‘AMP,’ I knew we had a unique opportunity to do our part in bringing healing to Huntington through music,” said Dr. Adam Dalton, who serves as Marshall’s director of bands. “Concert Hope was conceived as a musical outlet to combat the stigma of substance use disorder and a way to bring communities together to help find a solution, realizing that music can do much more than live in concert.”

The concert will also feature the world premiere of a piece by Marshall University student Jason Morgan commissioned specifically for this event in honor of the City of Huntington. In addition, the Recovery Point Choir, an ensemble of men from Recovery Point Huntington, will perform the song “Trust the Process,” for which they wrote the music and lyrics as a collective about their journeys toward recovery. The men, under the direction of Marshall University Assistant Professor Dr. Briana Nannen,  have been working in a music class once a week.

Speakers throughout the concert will create awareness to substance use disorder, share their stories and highlight the work taking place in Huntington. The concert will conclude with the Marshall Wind Symphony, conducted by Dalton, performing David Maslanka’s monumental work, Symphony No. 4.

“While not specifically written with recovery in mind, there is an overwhelming sense of healing that comes from conflict within the piece,” Dalton said. “The audience will walk away with strong sense of hope as we contemplate the future of our community.”

The concert is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will benefit Project Hope for Women & Children, Marshall Health’s residential treatment facility in Huntington for women with substance use disorder.

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Media Contacts: Sheanna M. Spence, Director of External Affairs, School of Medicine, 304-691-1639, or Jean Hardiman, University Relations Specialist, 304-696-6397

Date Posted: Monday, November 25, 2019