Singers from Kentucky Schools Performing at UM Gathering in Tampa

When United Methodists from around the world gather in Tampa this spring, singers from the western and eastern parts of Kentucky will share their musical gifts. The Kentucky Annual Conference is excited that musicians from Red Bird Mission School (located in the Red Bird Missionary Conference) and Kentucky Wesleyan College (in the KAC) will perform at the 2012 General Conference.

The Kentucky Wesleyan Chamber Singers, directed by Professor Paul E. Oakley and Professor Dennis Jewett, will sing during Higher Education night at General Conference on Monday, April 30. Red Bird’s Cardinal Singers, under the direction of Mark Smallwood, will perform prior to morning prayers and during the lunch break on Thursday, May 3. (Read more about the performances by clicking on these links: KWC Singers and Red Bird Singers.)

General Conference is an international body of nearly 1,000 delegates—half clergy and half laity—that meets every four years. It is the only body that can set official policy and speak for the denomination. General Conference meets April 24-May 4 at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida.

If you would like to make a donation to help either group of singers with their travel expenses, you may do so online or by check.

Anyone interested in helping sponsor Cardinal Singers’ travel to General Conference can donate online from the Red Bird Mission website, www.rbmission.org, by clicking the “Donate” button and specifying “Cardinal Singers tour” in the Description box. Checks made payable to “Red Bird Mission, Inc.” should also be marked “Cardinal Singers tour” and mailed to 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607.

Those wishing to support the Wesleyan Singers can go to www.kwc.edu/give. Fill out information and scroll down to Donation Information. Enter dollar amount and put a check in the "Other" box. In the "Other" box, type "Singers Tampa" in the box; then select Payment Type. Make checks payable to: Kentucky Wesleyan College, and mail to Kentucky Wesleyan College, Office of Advancement, c/o Matthew Ruark, 3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.