City of Hope Orange County is honoring cancer survivors across Southern California and beyond through a moving musical celebration that is bringing stories of resiliency and more than 100 hours of uplifting live music to the community. Music of Hope is a collaboration with Pacific Symphony, South Coast Plaza and Yamaha.
The installation is a public and meaningful way to honor and celebrate the more than 18 million Americans who have faced and triumphed over cancer during June, National Cancer Survivors Month.
“With the promising path so many cancer researchers and physicians have forged — including many at City of Hope — there is incredible hope for what is ahead,” said Annette Walker, President, City of Hope Orange County. “These days, people are still singing their own special song years — decades — after a cancer diagnosis. They’re people like Johnny, who at 86 is still playing his trumpet and performing with his Big Band despite living with cancer. Like Julian, who overcame childhood cancer and is now running his own business. And Todd, who is living his best life with his wife and two sons, despite multiple myeloma.”
In a particularly moving evening, City of Hope Orange County recently welcomed grateful patients, community leaders and friends to come together to honor everyone impacted by the disease that impacts 1 in 3 Americans in their lifetime.
Vocalist Dynean Dyson of Pacific Chorale and Grammy-nominated pianist Alex Flavell took to the stage for an inspiring performance of the song “Rise Up.”
Grateful patient Michelle Vacca told the audience about her journey with lung cancer and spoke about the healing power of music. “When cancer’s anxieties start to get to me, music has the power to pull me out of that negative space in my head and into a happy place of hope and healing” said Vacca. “Thank you, City of Hope, for bringing hope and healing to me and my family — for taking patients’ hands and never letting go.”
Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair has curated a roster of gifted musicians, as well as pianists and other musicians from the community, who will play daily in the Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza on a blue “Hope” grand piano alongside other accompanying instruments in a stirring tribute to cancer survival.
As St.Clair enters his 35th anniversary in the 2024-25 season with Pacific Symphony, he is proud to dedicate this performance series to the themes of survival and communal harmony. “As we embark on this journey with City of Hope, we are reminded of the vital role that the arts play in our lives,” said St.Clair. “Together, we are fostering a community where the healing power of music can thrive, supporting those who need it most.”
In addition to the blue “Hope” piano, the Music of Hope includes four 7-feet-tall by 40-feet-wide images of cancer survivors and a 20-feet-high by 30-feet-wide chandelier adorned with mirrored musical notes that reflect the stained glass in the rotunda. The featured patients are:
- Kommah McDowell, who was 29 when she found a mass in her breast and was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Today, she is grateful she is cancer-free.
- Simon Bray, a veteran horse racing broadcasting analyst who is living with multiple myeloma
- Nancy Oshiro, a breast cancer survivor who credits City of Hope with giving her life back
- Sarah Sanders, who was treated by a breast cancer specialist and is celebrating 9 years of being cancer-free
Through the gift of music, Pacific Symphony is helping bring the triumphant sound of cancer survival to all. “Pacific Symphony is honored to join in the celebration of cancer survivorship in Orange County,” said John Forsyte, CEO, Pacific Symphony. “It is a privilege to partner with two globally recognized organizations–one is the most advanced cancer research and treatment organization in Orange County, and the other is an iconic, world-renown shopping destination. The Symphony is grateful to create healing through music for the visitors of the exhibit.”
Debra Gunn Downing, Executive Director, Marketing, South Coast Plaza, and a steadfast supporter of City of Hope, welcomes guests into the beautiful exhibit space. “The ‘Music of Hope’ installation gives our visitors an opportunity to come together to celebrate survivorship in a meaningful and captivating way,” said Gunn Downing. “We encourage everyone to join the celebration between now and June 10.”
Thousands of people visit South Coast Plaza each day. The blue piano will also appear at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts in July and August; additionally, City of Hope Orange County will partner with Pacific Symphony to present a series of five concerts at the new outdoor amphitheater in Irvine, Great Park Live. The sounds of summer have never been more hopeful.
Also read:
Talking Hope: “A new blessing every day”: Meet two-time cancer survivor Kathy Miller Willahan
The Younger Face of Cancer
A beam of Hope rises: City of Hope celebrates "Topping Off" of Orange County's only specialty cancer hospital
