Sounds of the Season benefit concert will be held Dec. 4

Music is a favorite part of the holiday season for many people. Charity and volunteering also seem more prevalent. The 16th annual Sounds of the Season benefit concert combines the two for area residents.

Mike Dumey has again arranged local talent to sing holiday music at the concert, which benefits the cancer patients of Southeast Cancer Center and We Can Weekend retreat for cancer patients and their families. The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation organizes the concert each year.

"The concert will be an afternoon dedicated to the true spirit of the season," Dumey said.

Dumey serves as director and master of ceremonies. Every year he recruits local young talent for the show. This year's performers include Mary Bauer, Lauren Dumey, Sami Gross, Becca Rollins, Katherine Rollins, Matt Griffith and Broderick Twiggs. The Academy of DanceArts, directed by Kara Skelton, will join on a few songs to give the numbers a Radio City Rockettes feel.

Gross played Cinderella in Southeast Missouri State University's production of "Into the Woods." Bauer has finished in the top five finalists in the Miss Missouri pageant for the past two years.

This will be Becca Rollins' 12th year to participate. She began performing with the Academy of DanceArts and has been a featured singer for the past five years.

"I enjoy being a part of the Sounds of the Seasons because I get to combine my love for the Christmas spirit with the giving and support of a great cause by doing one of my favorite things -- singing," Rollins said.

She said she finds the audience support of the show to always be positive and cheerful.

"The stories of those who have survived cancer and those who continue to battle with such strength and faith are always so uplifting," she said.

Dumey said the cast will be performing a spectrum of holiday music.

"We're going to be doing a lot of fun songs. Then we'll pause at the end to go a more sacred direction, concentrating on the true meaning of the Christmas season," Dumey said. "Nothing brings home the true spirit of the season than the true meaning of it."

This year marks Dumey's 15th year as the director of the concert. Originally, the foundation approached Jerry Ford to produce the holiday program. Ford's brother was a cancer patient at Southeast. The year after, Dumey was approached and has produced the concert since.

"The concert is a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon," said Cheryl Dietrich, development specialist for the foundation. "Every year we get a nice crowd, people enjoy it and its great to come after church and hear some great music."

David Coleman has been named honorary chairman of this year's program. Coleman will be giving a testimonial about how cancer has affected his life and family. He will tell about what cancer is like, where he is now and how Southeast has benefited him.

The show will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at Cape Bible Chapel. Tickets are available for a $5 suggested donation. DVDs and CDs of the concert will be available for order after the performance with proceeds also benefiting the cancer center patients.