THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503220212
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The Suffolk YMCA Community Chorus is in the fine-tuning stage for the fifth annual Sing for the Children concerts, 8 p.m. April 1, and 3 p.m. April 2, at Nansemond River High School.
Martha Callis, Y membership director and chorus organizer, said the concert will be the biggest and best ever. With a goal of $10,000 for Y scholarships for underprivileged children, chorus members hope to fill the 800-seat auditorium for both performances of the music and dance extravaganza.
Part One will feature choral music by the 76-voice group of vocalists from churches throughout the area. The Rev. Alan Felumlee, pastor of Main Street United Methodist Church, will open the program with an explanation of the concert's purpose.
``There are so many children in this community who need our help,'' Callis explained. ``They could benefit so much from scholarship funds to subsidize their participation in the YMCA summer day camp program.''
Part One, directed by Talmadge Darden, will include a medley of religious tunes and anthems, an assortment of love songs, and a patriotic production accompanied by a flag corps from each branch of the armed services. The 20-voice YMCA Children's Choir, directed by Arlene Dewell, will add their voices to this musical repertoire.
Following intermission, the 90-minute concert will continue with a salute to country music, ``Taste of Country . . . Old and New.''
Local country commentators Joe Hoppel and Eric Stevens of WCMS radio will emcee this part of the program, narrating the evolution of country music from its early bluegrass sound to the more recent ``young/new'' country.
Art Latimer of Eclipse and his band of local musicians, ``The P-Nut City Pickers,'' will set the stage for a grand ole hoe-down at ``Callis's Livery.'' Meandering from ``Cripple Creek'' to ``Foggy Mountain'' and ending up on ``Grandma's Feather Bed,'' this segment will feature the YMCA chorus and the ``P-Nut City Cloggers.''
Guest ``appearances'' by country celebrities Minnie Pearl, Elvis and Patsy Cline will keep listeners reminiscing through the eras of country music.
Then, at the ``Dumas Walker Dance Hall'' the Cactus Rose Band, along with the YMCA Line Dancers, will strum and stamp their way through some ``young/new'' country tunes. Audience knee-slapping, hand-clapping, foot-stomping participation is expected.
``I'm one of the more enthusiastic participants this year,'' noted Art Latimer, who has assembled ``The P-Nut City Pickers'' and designed many of the stage props for the country portion of the concert.
Anticipating an entertaining, top-notch show he added, ``Anyone who wants to have fun - this is definitely the place to be.''
Tickets for ``Sing for the Children'' performances are $7. Children under 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the YMCA, 2769 Godwin Blvd., from chorus members, at local churches and at the door.
Nansemond River High School is at 3301 Nansemond Parkway.
Registration for the YMCA summer day camp program opens in April at the YMCA Children's Center, 2764 Godwin Blvd. Children may register for one week or any portion of the 12-week summer session. ``Last year was just wonderful,'' Callis noted.
The Y day camp operates weekdays through the summer from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and offers supervised sports, swimming, field trips and educational programs.
``These children are our future . . . we want to provide wholesome activities for them to get involved in,'' Callis added. And proceeds from the YMCA Community Chorus concerts will provide scholarship funding for many deserving youth to participate in this year's summer day camp. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
The P-Nut City Pickers will lead the grand ole hoe-down at the fifth
annual Sing for the Children concerts April 1 and 2 at Nansemond
River High School. Proceeds will provide Y scholarships for
underprivileged children.
by CNB