Angelic Voices Lift Rescue Efforts

The heart-wrenching images of the tsunami devastation in southern Asia prompted many people to ask, "What can we offer?" For the members, parents, and friends of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, their answer was, "the angelic sound of voices in song."

In less than three weeks, the chorus, made up of boys 4 1/2 to 13 years of age, organized a concert and dessert reception to benefit the tsunami relief efforts of Oxfam America and UNICEF.

"We chose Oxfam because they were already in the areas affected by the tsunami, doing good works," said Liz Russell, a parent and volunteer organizer of the January 23rd event.

The concert, held at the 650-seat Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, attracted a near-capacity crowd and the participation of internationally renowned opera singer Frederica von Stada.

The chorus raised $13,000 in just 90 minutes on a Sunday afternoon filled with song.