ALUMNI SHOWCASE CONCERT WILL BENEFIT AUDITORIUM

The Jackson High School Choral Department will be hosting an "Alumni Showcase Concert" Feb. 27 at 3 p.m., in the auditorium. The concert will feature some of the school's former singers and musicians who have gone on to use their musical talents as a profession.

Several are writers and composers. Most of the performers have recorded professionally with tapes and CD's available. The invited guests are all JHS choral graduates spanning nearly 25 years.

"We are so excited about the concert, and know it is something the public will not want to miss." said Jean Schweain, high school choral director. The proceeds from the concert will all go toward the continued restoration of the school's historic 1939 auditorium.

"The auditorium is looking very nice cosmetically, but we are still in desperate need of better lighting and sound," Schweain said. "The stage lighting is the same system installed when the building was constructed in 1939. Some of it no longer works, and, of course, no one thought of using a sound systems in the 30's. We have bought and borrowed, hauled, set-up, and returned loads of sound equipment for each of the many, many concerts and performances over the years."

Support has been apparent for the restoration project.

"The alumni have been so gracious, and even excited about the opportunity to perform again on the old stage,' and especially eager to help our school, our students, and the performing arts with this benefit concert" Schweain said. "Many of them commented that their sweetest memory of high school was performing on that very stage."

Over the next three weeks, our readers will learn more about the "Alumni Showcase Concert" and its performers. This week, will feature Robyn Hosp and Mike Dumey (70's), Nollie Moore (80's), and Whitney Thomas (90's).

Robyn Hosp is a well-known local performer. She has already released two CD's, and is scheduled to record again in March in Nashville. The March recording sessions are a part of her awards package for winning three major talent competitions in 1999. Hosp has remained busy through the years, singing for numerous community and church activities, performing regularly with Mike Dumey in a dinner theater/variety show called "An Evening with Mike and Robyn," and being a full-time wife and mother to her husband Ken, and their two sons Adam and Drew.

"The day I was asked to try out for choir literally changed my life" says Robyn. "My most treasured high school memories are of Pop Concert,' Show Boat' and contest.' I am so honored to help give back to an organization that has enriched my life so much."

Dumey ('76) has been a music educator in the Cape Girardeau public school for the past 10 years. He is currently producing and starring in a dinner showcase with Hosp entitled "An Evening with Mike and Robyn." Dumey has been involved with dinner theater type shows for some 18 years. He and his wife Betsy live in Cape with their two children, Lauren (6) and Caitlyn (1).

According to Dumey, his "fondest high school memories are tied to all the great choral productions we did in the old auditorium, spear-headed by Ernestine Kirk. Her enthusiasm and commitment has been an inspiration to me throughout my professional career, both as a teacher and an entertainer."

Nollie Moore graduated from JHS in 1986, and from University of Missouri in 1991 receiving his M.Ed. in 1999. He is currently the Director of Choral and Voice Activities at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. He is also Director of Music Ministries at Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia. Moore taught for several years in the Columbia public school system and was selected "Outstanding Educator" in 1993. He has performed in numerous musical theaters and opera as a soloist. His Chancel Choir has been chosen as one of six American choirs to participate in the British-American Church Music Festival in Scotland and England this summer. Nollie and his wife Julia have two sons, Logan (5) and Carter (2).

Whitney Hosmer ('93) can be heard daily on a local radio station announcing the "hits" of today and yesterday. For the past three years Whitney, better known on the air-waves as Whitney Thomas, has worked for Zimmer Radio Group as a DJ on Kiss 93.9 and K103 in Cape Girardeau. She recently graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Mass Communication/Radio.

"Without a doubt, my most special memories from high school took place in choir," she said. "I'll never forget the tremendous excitement I felt when my name was called out, following the All-District Concert in Sikeston, announcing that I had made the Missouri All-State Choir. It was such an awesome experience -- one I shall never forget. And, of course, we all loved performing in the annual Pop Concerts."

The JHS Choirs hope local patrons will mark their calendar for this special event. Tickets will go on sale Monday and may be purchased at the high school office, ASC Printing (uptown Jackson), and Country Mart. For more information, call the JHS music building 243-9517.