The Messenger 03.05.08

On March 16, the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Spring Sing takes center stage at the Harriet Fulton Performing Arts Theatre for the 27th consecutive year.
Walter Darrell Haden, coordinator-founder of the sing, characterizes it as “three hours of variety music coming and going, once the show opens at 1:30.”
Led by the trombone of university professor emeritus of music E.J. Eaton, the Memory Makers swing out at 1:30 p.m. with a half-hour of Dixieland, New Orleans gospel pieces and other instrumental favorites. At 2 p.m., Henry County’s Yoder Family of Cottage Grove presents old-time Mennonite hymns sung in a cappella harmony. They will be followed at 2:30 by Weakley County’s Melody Makers. This quartet, known for its Southern Gospel music, will be making its 26th appearance on Spring Sing since the yearly series began in 1981. Featured are Wayne and Linda Perkins, his sister Virginia Verdell on piano, her husband Billy singing bass and their son Wendell, the tenor.
At 3 p.m., Rutherford’s Davy Crockett Cabin curator, Joe Bone, will sing folk songs and play some of the instruments in use 200 years ago as Crockett moved slowly west across Tennessee: the mountain dulcimer, the Irish penny whistle, the “French harp” and the guitar. Other folk musicians may join him as they play other period instruments. At 3:30 p.m., professor emeritus Elmer Counce and other volunteer members of an “old-time quartet” will join voices with Modern Foreign Language Department professor Dr. Robert Peckham, who also will accompany the group on his autoharp. At 4 p.m., Dr. James Fieser, UT Martin professor of philosophy, will play acoustical guitar accompaniment for the violin instrumentals of his twin daughters, Emma and Michelle.
UT Martin’s Spring Sing, sponsored by the Office of Extended Campus and Continuing Education, is free and open to the public. Tim Barrington, UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts technical director, will produce Spring Sing’s sound and lighting.
For more information, contact ECCE at (731) 881-7082.