“What Were You Singing in 1971?” is this year’s spring fundraiser concert held by the Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir and friends on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21 at 7:30pm at the Vineyard Church at 45 Charleston Street in Wellsboro. The concert raises money for the choir’s annual spring tour and is sponsored by The Sweet Foundation.

Directed by Thomas Putnam, the choir will sing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Annie’s Song,” Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun,” and others. The concert will also feature a few of the parents of the group singing and playing instruments. Local vocalist Eve Catherine Hind, who has performed at The Gas Light, Los Agaves Taqueria, and The Wellsboro House, will be a featured performer.

Hind said, “When I was invited to take part in this fundraiser celebrating the music of 1971, Thomas Putnam recommended three songs to perform. Each song is very different from one another, with each of them capturing a feeling in history that we can still relate to today.” Hind will perform “For All We Know” by the Carpenters, a Grammy award-winning ballad about love and uncertainty. “This song tells a story of the fragile beginnings of a relationship and the hope that comes with a shared future with someone. I find when singing songs that tell a story it is easier to convey the vulnerability and heartfelt emotion behind the lyrics, allowing myself and the audience to connect more deeply.”

She will also perform Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby MGee,” and said, “I found when learning this song that Joplin’s singing style is raw, expressive, and unpredictable, which has made this song both challenging and exciting to play!”  Another song she’ll perform, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by Joan Baez, narrates the cost of war on ordinary people just trying to survive. “I’d never heard these specific songs before, but that’s what I love about this HG fundraiser—it has further educated me on the music from this time. I’m always grateful to be part of the community in this way and to be able to share the music that we all know and love.”

According to Putnam, the spring fundraiser concerts are part of HG’s educational component. “Part of our mission is to educate our singers musically, and in reaching back to some of the great songwriters and performers of the past we’re working toward that goal.” A few songs will be audience sing-alongs such as “Amazing Grace” which has been around since 1772 but Judy Collins’ release in 1971 helped catapult it to its present familiarity. “Morning Has Broken,” released in the same year by the artist then known as Cat Stevens, will be another sing-along.

There will be refreshments on sale as well as a few fun fundraiser opportunities. Tickets are available online at hgp.booktix.com and at the door.