Maryville students perform 28th Spring Sing in the Smokies

Maryville City Schools held its 28th Spring Sing in the Smokies on Friday, bringing together students from across the district in grades three through eight for a concert at First United Methodist Church.

Music teachers from throughout the district hold auditions to select about 20 students each, and they learn the music separately at their own schools, practicing after class. The first time all 160 participants came together this year was Friday morning.

The concert gives the students an opportunity to work with special mentors. “The day of the festival, they’re in charge of the music,” said Julia Lawson, music teacher at Foothills Elementary School. This year both were from Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. Jamila McWhirter, associate professor and coordinator of music education, and Dr. Jennifer Vannatta-Hall, an assistant professor.

Pam Gildrie, longtime music teacher at Sam Houston Elementary, is credited with starting the Spring Sing in 1989, when the district had only three elementary schools. Lawson was in her second year of teaching.

At one time Alcoa and Blount County schools also participated, until the calendars became too complicated, Lawson explained. On its 25th anniversary the Spring Sing was expanded to encompass students in grades six to eight.

“It’s an enrichment opportunity for those kids who love music,” Lawson said. Also, “students get to meet others who like the same things they do.”

The concert can be an opportunity to keep alive some tunes. “They don’t know some of the songs they would have known back in the day,” Lawson said.

So in addition to folk songs from Japan and Africa, Lawson said one of her students’ favorites this year was a version of “This Ol’ Man.”

The concert usually ends with a song celebrating community or the culture of songs, and this year’s choice was “A Blessing,” composed by Jay Althouse and based on traditional Irish blessings.

Through music education in elementary school, Lawson said, “we want them to feel confident with music in their daily life,” whether that is singing a hymn in church or eventually dancing with their daughter on her wedding day.

“And to have an appreciation of what music can contribute to their lives,” she added.