They've had smash hits and multi-platinum albums, but they have not forgotten their hometown school.

        98 degrees, the boy band whose four members include three of the most well-known alumni of Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, will headline a concert to benefit the new performing arts school, 7:30 p.m. May 30 in Music Hall.

        The quartet — Nick Lachey (class of '92) Drew Lachey ('94), Justin Jeffre ('91) and Ohio native Jeff Timmons — will donate their services for the gala show.

98 degrees: Nick, Jeff, Drew and Justin

       

        “The boys really wanted to do it, right from the git-go,” says Cincinnati Pops conductor Erich Kunzel, a chief proponent of the campus proposed for Over-the-Rhine. “I'm very grateful.”

        Mr. Kunzel and the organizers hope that 98 degrees will heat up interest in the $52 million project.

        “I want (the audience) to have a real feeling of what a great thing this will be, what a great school we have and how it can become greater,” he says.
       

        98 degrees will perform a 30-minute set, including four arrangements with the Cincinnati Pops (also donating services): “Because of You”; “My Everything”; “I Do (Cherish You)” and “The Hardest Thing.”

        Other famous grads who will join the SCPA reunion include Ron Bohmer (Phantom of the Opera, The Scarlet Pimpernel); Carter Pyatt Calvert (Forbidden Broadway, Cats); Brandi Chavonne Massey (Jekyll and Hyde); composer/conductor Patrick Gandy and producer Scott Moening.

        Tickets: $15-$50 concert only; $100 patron (includes dinner, concert and dessert reception). 744-3290.

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