The concert is planned for 7:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. The concert will feature a mix of arias and pieces abstracted from various operas, including "Phantom of the Opera." The event is being planned by Daniel Norton, a Sikeston lawyer, who hopes to help Boyd with his expenses.

Norton says he has known Boyd since he was a young child.

"He is a truly nice guy," Norton said. "He is a testimony to his mother's skill."

Boyd plans to begin graduate study in the fall at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Norton says Boyd has received a scholarship to cover the cost of his schooling. Proceeds from the concert should help cover his room and board costs.

General admission tickets are $25. Sponsor tickets are available for two for $100. Those wishing to purchase tickets may mail requests to: P.O. Box 428, Sikeston, MO 63801 or they may call (573) 471-2715. Checks should be made payable to the Neal E. Boyd Scholarship Fund.

First National Bank of Sikeston is hosting a sponsors only reception immediately following the concert. The reception will be held in the Ray Clinton Reception Building in the Park Complex in Sikeston.

Boyd, a lyric tenor, holds undergraduate degrees from both Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. At Southeast, he was a speech communication major with minors in music and political science. He is a former student of Dr. Christopher Goeke, Southeast associate professor of music.

At Southeast, he was a frequent soloist for the University Choir and performed many lead roles with the Opera All-Stars. Those roles included scenes as "Alfredo" in Verdi's "La Traviata," "Nemorino" in Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'amore" and "The Duke" in Verdi's "Rigoletto."

Along with his academic and musical activities at Southeast, Boyd also was very active in Student Government, serving as vice president one year. He also was an active fraternity member. In 1999, Boyd transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) to take advantage of instruction by Associate Professor Ann Harrell in the UMC Department of Music, while, at the same time, completing requirements for his degree at Southeast. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in music and performed with the University of Missouri Singers.

Boyd is the winner of the 2000 National Collegiate Artist Voice Competition of the Music Teachers National Association. He was a frequent winner at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, a guest soloist for the 2001 Missouri All-State Choir and a member of the 1996 Missouri All-Collegiate Choir. He won honorable mention in November at the Sorantin International Vocal Competition. He is known for his solo performances throughout Missouri and was honored to sing a solo at the memorial service for the late Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Boyd's voice has been described as one of great beauty, fairly large with a sweet lyrical quality.

His collegiate performances included roles as "Ferrando" in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutti," "Eisenstein" in "Die Fledermaus" and "The Negro" in "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd." He performed numerous roles with the University of Missouri's Show-Me Opera scenes program, including "Fenton" in Verdi's "Falstaff," "Nemorino" in Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'amore" and "Lennie" in Floyd's "Of Mice and Men."