Special concert at the Clayton Center honors mothers and friends

April 26, 2010

As a way to recognize mothers and friendships, MC alumni Jenny Jett Erwin (Class of '68) and her life-long friend Pat Hammontree Ingram (Class of '70) have organized an event at the Clayton Center for the Arts.

The special concert starts at 7 p.m., Fri., May 7, in the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall and will feature Ingram's daughter, mezzo-soprano Amanda Ingram, who also studied at Maryville College.

Amanda received a bachelor's of music degree from the University of Tennessee and a master's of music degree from Yale School of Music. Best known for her role as Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Amanda has also performed in Fiddler on the Roof, The Pirates of Penzance and The Music Man. She has worked with the Central City Opera, Dayton Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Sarasota Opera and Virginia Opera.

The concert will feature selections from renowned American composers Sondheim, Bernstein and Weill, along with a few surprise pieces.

All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Maryville College Women of Courage Scholarship.

Originally started in 2001 as a Maryville College annual scholarship, and later endowed in 2009 by Erwin, this scholarship is awarded to a non-traditional female student recognized for her drive and initiative to overcome personal, professional or financial burdens to complete her degree.

To date, four women have directly benefited from the scholarship with most receiving the award for several consecutive years.

"I know how special both Pat and my 94-year-old mother Virginia Jett are to me; I just wanted to find a way for others to share in this type of celebration," said Erwin. There will be a small reception during intermission where attendees will have the opportunity to make additional gifts to the scholarship fund in honor or memory of someone special.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the Clayton Center Box Office or online at claytonartscenter.com.

For more information, contact Holly Jackson-Ludlow, vice president of advancement and community relations, at 865.273.8884.

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state‘s third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the fall 2011 semester was 1,078.