HOULTON, Maine — Spring isn’t guaranteed to bring warm weather and green grass to southern Aroostook, but for the past 10 years, it has brought a favorite musical tradition to the area — the popular “Spring Sing” benefit concert.
“Time sure flies, and it’s hard to imagine we’ve been sponsoring this event for 10 years already!” said Peter Holmes, who helps organizes the concert with Wayne Watson. “It takes a bit of effort to bring awareness of these events, but the result is very gratifying!”
This year’s Spring Sing, held April 9, 2016 at the Houlton Wesleyan Church, was an evening of live Gospel music and a benefit for Greater Houlton Christian Academy. Groups singing at this year’s event included: Golden Harmony of Fredericton, New Brunswick, The Kinneys of central Aroostook, and two well-known local groups, Heart of Praise and Mixed Nuts.
Watson said they typically invite four groups to present a variety of styles of Gospel music as part of the annual program.
“What makes this event special is the fact that we always make sure two of the four invited groups are quality Gospel artists from outside of Houlton, including New Brunswick and from throughout Maine,” explained Watson. “Bringing these groups to our Spring Sing introduces them to new audiences outside of their own hometowns.”
The event has always had a strong turnout, said Holmes.
“There are many great activities happening, and we always try to pick a date that conflicts with as few other events as possible. We want to offer something to help lift folks out of the humdrum season between winter and summer here in The County,” he said. “And the always great turnout gives more evidence that Houlton is, after all, the ‘Music Town of Maine.’”
For more information on upcoming concerts, visit the Greater Houlton Gospel Music group on Facebook.
