Cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers are invited to gather at 7 p.m. April 29 and 3 p.m. April 30, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, for “Close To Home: Songs and Lessons of Cancer Survivorship.”

The inspiration to mount the concert, now in it’s 10th year, came from vocalist and cancer doctor Dr. Derrick “Rick” Boulay’s personal experience with the disease.

“I did understand the breadth of the disease but I didn’t really get, truly, the depth of the cancer experience until it came to my home,” says Boulay.

“My wife was diagnosed with leukemia maybe eight, nine years ago and learning how to deal with a cancer at home was completely new to me; what language is acceptable or how to deal with the stressors at home, how to talk to the kids and all those things were experiences that I really didn’t know what to do.

“It was my patients who taught me. They were there when I needed them. They gave me just great, great advice and in their visits with me as their doctor, I got at least as much from them as they got from me.

“I realized that there is all this wisdom out there about how to deal with and manage cancer diagnoses but no one’s really willing to talk about it. It’s too scary, it’s too fragile, it’s too everything.”

As Boulay processed his wife’s illness he discovered meaning and comfort in music.

“I began to hear songs very, very differently and lyrics became deeply meaningful. That was a very new experience. I’d hear a song I hadn’t heard in years and then hear these lyrics and just really found their way to my soul.” says Boulay.

“Close to Home” combines music and discussion for those affected by cancer. Attendees are invited to reflect on their experiences in a welcoming and understanding environment. Cocktails are served 30 minutes prior to the performance and dessert is offered at intermission.

“The goal is to allow people to think about things that they might not have even known were bothering them or might not have even known were collective experiences. [There is a] really attentive and a very communal feel. It feels like we are all there together to share an experience that we really don’t know how else to share it.” Boulay says.

Topics of discussion include chemo, brain and cancer language, among others. The personal narratives are coupled with iconic songs performed by Boulay with Vinny Travato and Grace Spriuell, including “You Raise Me Up”; “Try To Remember” from the off-Broadway musical, “The Fantasticks”; “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from the Broadway musical, “Carousel,” and “Ave Maria.”

“You will have someone be described as a cancer victim and they will go ballistic. No one wants to feel victimized.

“When you’re looking at just the simple thing of how we connect with each other, how many strong and deep feelings people have about which language we choose to use and whether or not it applies to them. So it turns out to be a very personal thing.” says Boulay.

“The song I chose is ‘Maria’ from ‘West Side Story,’ not only because I love that song but it goes, ‘Maria! Say it loud and there’s music playing, Say it soft and it’s almost like praying.’ So you can have the same word and use it in different ways and have different connotations to it. It gets people to hear music differently.”

The concert features the premiere of original songs written by Boulay and Dr. Dan Foster.

“The reason I chose the music is to give a place for the emotions to live. And whether that emotion is humor or anger or fear or whatever it gives the creative part of the brain a place to experience it.

“The discussion part is then the intellectual part. We can have meaningful discussions if people are willing to share and they always are.

“Everyone seems to sense that we are all in this together and find the experience incredibly inspirational,” Boulay says.

A donation supports area and national cancer related charities. An additional donation include an autographed copy of Dr Boulay’s previously recorded CD’s: “Hope,” “Peace” or “Love” or a new CD of original music, “Close to Home.”

Tickets: Miller Symphony Hall Box Office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715