Marvin Manring

The Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra's annual "Pops" concert will be Sunday, April 30, at 2:30 p.m. in the Harold L. Lickey Auditorium at Bueker Middle School in Marshall, said Mary Lou Porter, director of public relations for the philharmonic.

The concert is free and is open to the public.

The concert will again spotlight Marshall talent with the third- and fourth-grade art classes of the Marshall public schools exhibiting works they drew after listening to Robert Gray's "The American Dream."

Tenor Marvin Manring will be featured.

Manring teaches instrumental music in Stockton's school district. A native of Albany, he graduated from Central Methodist College in Fayette and taught in the California and Slater school districts before moving to Stockton in 1993. While at Slater, Manring performed with the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra and the Marshall Municipal Band in the brass section, Porter said in a press release.

Manring performed with the Jefferson City Little Theater in the 1980s. He performs vocal solos and in ensembles through the Stockton United Methodist Church. He presented "The Star Spangled Banner" at a southwest region meeting of the Missouri State Teachers' Association in the fall of 2005. Manring will be performing several Rodgers and Hammerstein selections from "South Pacific," "Oklahoma," "Carousel" and "Sound of Music." He will also perform "Everything's Coming Up Roses," from "Gypsy" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

Emmy Zimmerman's third- and fourth-grade art students' collaboration with the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra will focus on Gray's "The American Dream," Porter said in the press release.

"Both grade levels listened to the selections and drew their individual interpretations of the pieces of music," Porter said. "The art work will be presented in a slide show as each composition is performed. The original art work will be on display in the halls around Harold L. Lickey Auditorium," she said.

The Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Charles Ferguson, will perform "Ride! (Mellow Johnny Rides Again!)" The piece was written in commemoration of Lance Armstrong's record-breaking sixth Tour de France victory, Porter said.

Other pieces on the program include "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington and Rob Russell, and, "A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein."

Porter said "The American Dream" is a musical tribute to the family of John Bruton, prime minister of Ireland, whose great-granduncle came to America as a laborer and was among the founders of the city of Festus.

"In a larger sense," Porter said in her release, "The American Dream" is a tribute to all those brave Irish people who came to America in search of a better way of life. This piece is a musical portrait of Festus, Mo., and the three sketches portray life in the community: "Movement I -- The Residential and Recreational Life -- Sunset Park Overture," "Movement II -- The Educational and Cultural Life -- Excerpts from Contest Solo No. 1 for Flute and Harp," and "Movement III -- The Business and Professional Life -- The Rotarian March for Winds and Percussion."

The Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra will also honor President Jane Huff, who is stepping down after 15 years serving as president, Porter said.

"Enjoy a delightful afternoon of young artists and a variety of musical selections," Porter said.

There will be a reception following the concert.

Contact Charles A. Mason at

marshalleditor@socket.net