Top talent pulls together for benefit concert

B.J. Lupton, director of the Swingin' on High big band, believes music has the power to take people on an emotional journey.

He also wants music to lead them to support a good cause.

Lupton, owner of Snappy Sport Senter in Kalispell, is in charge of "A Musical Adventure," a concert benefit for Hope Ranch.

The two nights of music will feature four of the valley's most-talented singers and 34 top instrumentalists from groups such as Swingin' on High, the Glacier Symphony and the Flathead Valley Community Band.

The performances are Friday at Christian Center in Kalispell and Saturday at Whitefish Central School auditorium. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

"I hope to take the audience on a musical adventure, to have them let their emotions go, and go with the music," Lupton said. "The music will be happy, sad, stirring, anxious, somber and exciting. The audience may not know what to expect, but I want to yank their emotions all over the spectrum. Doing that will leave them with a great experience."

The evening's entertainment includes show tunes from "Phantom of the Opera," "Fiddler on the Roof," "My Fair Lady" and "Music Man." There will also be a brass choir, some piano and vocal solo pieces, and some swing music.

The four vocalists are Heather Hillstead, a soprano with the Glacier Chorale; bass Allan McGarvey, who also is in the chorale; Holly Smith, a mezzo soprano who sings with Swingin' on High; and baritone Kent McLellan, a veteran of many Christian Center musicals.

Lupton said it was easy to pull together the key players for the night.

"It didn't take any arm twisting," he said. "I presented it to folks as an opportunity to give to the community, to support Hope Ranch and have a wonderful time.

"I wanted to create a blessing for one and all, not a burden."

The evening is intended to "support Hope Ranch and get the word out," Lupton said. "It's one of the most meaningful ministries I've ever seen."

Hope Ranch is a private, nondenominational, faith-based therapeutic boarding school 26 miles from Whitefish. It is a place for girls ages 13 to 17 facing a broad spectrum of daunting problems.

Lupton has been on the Hope Ranch board for about a decade, he said, and has always been impressed with the work done by the professional staff there.

"It really grabbed me, to see the work they do in these lives that are definitely in desperation and on the path of destruction, girls full of venom and resentment and rebellion, with their parents and grandparents at their wits' end," Lupton said. "With great therapy and God's principles applied, the girls can turn things around and embrace life with joy."

There will be a brief presentation about Hope Ranch during the concert.

Reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4431 or by e-mail at hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com