The Music of Peter, Paul & Mary

The Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir hosts area musicians to sing songs recorded by the beloved folk trio Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers

Songs will be performed by the Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir consisting of singers in grades 5-8 from all over Tioga County. The event is a benefit for the group’s performance tour to the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in May. This year the group is exploring songs about water (in all its forms) as well as spirituals sung by African-American slaves. The trip will explore the unique shore culture of the Eastern Shore as well as visiting a number of sites related to the heroic efforts of Harriet Tubman.

Other groups singing in the event will be the Gmeiner Cultural Center Open Mic group. This group consists of musicians and singers who have come together bi-weekly in an informal setting to sing songs for and with each other. Also singing is the local acappella group Pine Pitch. The group sings without accompaniment. Also singing is Chris Eckert who is becoming more and more familiar in the past few years as he sings in a variety of civic and religious venues.

The nature of the folk music Peter, Paul and Mary sang lends itself to a relaxed gathering of people to both listen and to join in with familiar lyrics. All ages can enjoy this event which features songs as familiar as “Puff the Magic Dragon” to songs of social justice. Most grandparents will know many of the lyrics to the songs and this will be a great way to introduce this group and genre to their grandchildren.

Refreshments will be available for purchase, as well as a number of games of chance. All proceeds will go toward the HG Treble Choirs’ tour in May.

The Deane Center, located at 104 Main Street, Wellsboro, is easily handicapped accessible with safe entrances both in the front (Main Street) and the rear entrances. Restrooms are all on the same level.

The event is at 2:30PM on Sunday, February 18. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children 18 and under. Opportunities will be available to make a donation to the choir’s tour. General seating tickets are available at the door, by calling 570.724.2079, or on-line at hgp.booktix.org.

Other thoughts:

Last year the choir hosted a concert entirely of music made famous by the Beatles. We loved the collaboration with local singer Penny Eckman and Houston Baker and his band. The choir members were exposed to some new tunes and explored the genius songwriting of the Fab Four. This year I thought a different genre of music would be fun, and settled on PP&M with whom I grew up. I had all of their albums (remember them?) and knew most of the lyrics to all of their songs. When I proposed the group to this young choir I found that most of them had never heard of them. One of HG’s missions is to introduce classic plays and musicals as well as a wide variety of musical styles to young—and not so young—audiences.