Special Concert Planned to Remember Former A Capella Group Member

The University of Southern Mississippi men's a capella group, The Spirit of Southern (SOS), will host a memorial concert for Steffan Myers Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.

This event was created to honor Steffan, an SOS member who was killed in a car accident in 2010. The concert will include favorites from the SOS repertoire; a tribute reading of Myers' life; student reflections; and recognition and appreciation of the Myers family.

“This event has rapidly become one of my favorite concerts of the year,” said John Flanery, SOS director. “To see the concert unfold, the atmosphere of the audience, and the generosity of so many – I know Steffan is smiling and singing along with us.”  

The event is free but donations will be collected to help provide the Steffan Myers Spirit of Southern Scholarship award.  

“We are so deeply touched by the entire night. I'm committed to raising the funds for an endowment established in Steffan's name,” said Dr. Bill Myers, Steffan's father.

Josh Elmore, winner of last year's scholarship, said Myers' voice still echoes through certain songs. “My favorite part of the concert is when we sing a song that Steffan had a solo in, ‘Jessie's Girl.'  I can still hear his voice singing that song and it makes me remember all of the good and funny times that Steffan brought to the group.”

Also scheduled to perform on the program are the Southern Belletones, Southern Miss' female a capella group and the Northeast Jones High School show choir, “Gold Horizons,” directed by Dr. Myers.

Frantz Salomon, longtime SOS member, summed up Myers' legacy with the group this way: “Steffan was a great guy and I feel this concert allows his memory to live on through the best preserver – music.”