USU to Host “Starry Night” Benefit Concert

Featuring Christmas music in a variety of musical styles, the proceeds from the event will be donated to Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome, a local nonprofit organization which aims to raise money to aid in the adoption of children who have Down syndrome.

“We hope this can be something people can come to to take a break from the hustle and bustle and spending of the holiday season to come out, listen to some good music and really remember what Christmas is all about,” said Joe Hill, the vice president of Alpha Tau Omega and the event chairman for Starry Night.

Last year’s concert, which Hill said raised $300 in donations for the Sub For Santa program despite not being a sanctioned fundraising event, lead Hill to the idea of using the concert as a philanthropic opportunity.

Tickets for the event, which requires semiformal attire for entry, are $7. Hill said Alpha Tau Omega hopes to raise more than $2,000 for RODS through the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. in USU’s Performance Hall.

After last year’s concert, which featured diverse musical performances by USU students and alumni, many people already anticipate the event as the highlight of their Christmas season, Hill said.

Katie Steed, who graduated from USU in May with a degree in graphic design, attended the concert last year and said she especially appreciated the multitude of acoustic Christmas songs which were performed.

“These people are crazy talented,” Steed said. “It was so great.”

Ian Blotter, a junior at USU studying international business, said he attended last year’s event in support of friends who were performing. Blotter said he enjoyed the night’s performances and anticipates another great event this year.

“It was just the music that was so amazing,” he said. “It was like the music concert of the century.”

Hill said this year’s concert will feature USU students and alumni performing pieces from a variety of styles and instruments including cello, piano, flamenco guitar, acapella and folk. Many classic Christmas songs will also be performed in a collaborative manner with all of the night’s performers, Hill said.

Starry Night is one of two signature events put on each year by Alpha Tau Omega, according to Hill. He said the fraternity hopes the concert will grow into the university’s premier Christmas event in future years.

“We want to establish this as a big thing on campus as a yearly installment,” Hill said.

*Original article credited to The Utah Statesman: http://www.usustatesman.com