Free Concerts to Benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital

The River City Men’s Chorus sings praises to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Well, not literally, but the group does sing to benefit it.

The River City Men’s Chorus will perform three free benefit concerts this summer. The theme, “You Raise Me Up,” incorporates several styles of music, and proceeds go to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

“The guys love it,” Director Wayne Bailey said. “We have a lot of fun and do some good.”

The first concert is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church; 4001 Hendricks Ave. featuring guest soloist Ileana Fernandez. The second concert is 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church; 465 Eleventh Ave. N. featuring guest soloist Andrew Clark, and the final concert is 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 20 at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral downtown, 256 E. Church St. featuring soloist Tim Tuller.

River City Men’s Chorus was founded three years ago by Bailey, retired director of Choral Studies and professor of Vocal Music for Florida State College at Jacksonville. In 2010 Bailey used a Facebook group to attract initial members, and the group has grown to include approximately 30 diverse professional and amateur vocalists today.

“We’ve got guys of all ages, from the early 20s to 81,” Bailey said. “We perform everything from pop to spirituals. This year, we’re doing some African songs.”

Concert proceeds will benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the only full-service tertiary children’s hospital in the region. As a non-profit organization, Wolfson Children's Hospital relies on charitable donations to provide world-class care for all children in the region.

“We benefited the ‘Beads of Courage’ program at Wolfson Children’s Hospital last year,” Bailey said. “We’re excited to continue working with them, and hope to perform for the kids at the hospital as well.”

For more information, including how to join River City Men’s Chorus, contact Bailey at rwbail294@bellsouth.net or (904) 553-8573. To donate directly to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, visit www.wolfsonchildrens.org .