The Northwestern Singer will host its 16th annual benefit concert called “Why We Sing” for youth music at 7 p.m. on Saturday at St. Olaf Church in Austin.

All proceeds from the concert are given to the performing youth choirs. To date, the NWS has given $45,790 to Austin youth music programs.

Performing in this year’s will be Northwestern Singers, Austinaires, Pacilli Singers, Ellis Early Bird Choir, I.J. Holton Intermediate School fifth-grade choir and the Pacelli Shamrock Singers.  With more than 250 singers ranging in age from 10 to 70 something, it is a concert you won’t want to miss.

All tickets are $8 and are available at St. Edward’s Catholic Church parish office or from any Northwestern singer. Seating is limited so tickets may or may not be available at the door.

The Northwestern Singers are a group of more than 40 men and women who share the love of singing and performing.  They range in age from early 20s to 70s and come from many different backgrounds. Music education is an important part of the mission of NWS. They also give a scholarship annually to a Riverland Community College student studying music.