The Northwestern Singers will host their 10th annual benefit concert,  “Why We Sing,” at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Proceeds are given each year to participating area youth music programs.  To date, the Northwestern Singers have given $25,000 to area school youth music programs.

The Austinaires and Pacelli Singers are the anchor high school youth groups. Each year the singers rotate participation between area elementary and middle school choirs. This year the groups performing are Banfield Elementary choir, Catholic School elementary and middle school choirs and Ellis Middle school.

The Northwestern Singers will also perform three songs from their upcoming January 2010 show.

There will also be a special guest performance by The Irish Minstrels, a popular area folk singing group.

This concert is a favorite of many NWS members because it is rewarding to see and hear all the things happening in youth music programs. The closing mass choir song, “Why We Sing” is a blending of all the voices, young and not so young, that says “Music builds a bridge; it can tear down walls.”

Tickets are $8, available at Hy-Vee in Austin, at St. Edward’s Church and from NWS members. Seating is limited, so tickets may or may not be available at the door.