Music program strums for fundraising

HARRINGTON – The school district music program is hosting a fundraising performance at the Post and Office coffee shop at 2 S. Third St., Harrington, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Five students plus the Hawk Creek Acoustic Guitar Duo, Lynn Caddel and Randy Beamer, will perform together under the direction of professional guitarist turned high school music teacher Robert Vierschilling.

During a rehearsal in the high school music room on Tuesday, Fe. 25, the mellow sounds of seven strumming guitars filled the air with bars from the folksy tune "Low Bridge" by Thomas S. Allen. The lyrics tell the story of a boat passage on the Erie Canal as imagined by the Tin Pan Alley composer in 1905.

"You're using your stage voice. Just make sure you belt it out like you're in the opera house during the performance," Vierschilling told the musicians, who had just finished gently singing while also playing guitar.

Vierschilling was a professional guitarist in Seattle for 23 years before deciding to make a mid-career change to education. He attended Eastern Washington University before accepting a position at Harrington High School. He is in his first year of teaching.

Guitar classes are open to 11th and 12th grade students at Harrington High. The courses are part of the curriculum, according to Vierschilling.

Donations will be accepted to support the Harrington High School music program during the Saturday, March 7 performance. Patrons may also donate unwanted guitars.