Elvis will be in the building.
At least as channeled by Steve Fogura, a well known Elvis impersonator and Tahoma School District Employee, who will be the featured guest performer at the district’s Mary Lou Harting Memorial Concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at the Tahoma Middle School Theater.
Nearly a decade ago, explained Rock Creek Elementary music teacher Debbie Folkerts, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council President Mary Jane Glaser suggested the Tahoma music faculty put on a concert for the community.
“She thought it would be a good way to connect with the community so they could see what we do,” Folkerts said.
A few years after the annual event began, Mary Lou Harting, who taught at Rock Creek when the school opened, died after a battle with breast cancer. She initially taught music before moving into a third grade classroom.
“We decided we would continue the concert but make it a scholarship concert,” Folkerts said.
A suggested donation of $5 is requested with the proceeds going to the Mary Lou Harting Scholarship Fund with money being awarded in May to Tahoma High seniors who are music program students.
This year promises to be a fun evening, Folkerts said.
“There’s going to be a variety of instrumental and vocal performances, some serious, some comedic,” she said. “We doing everything from Herb Alpert to duets to a steel drum ensemble. There’s also a couple of rock songs.”
And, of course, Elvis.
“That will draw people and that’s what we’re hoping for since it’s a scholarship benefit concert,” Folkerts said.
And families will enjoy the performances by the district’s 11 music faculty members because they will see “the music teachers continue to pursue music in their lives.”
“Kids love to see their teachers performing,” Folkerts said. “It’s a great way to support music in the community.”
Donations to the Mary Lou Harting scholarship fund can also be mailed to the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council, 23220 Maple Valley Highway S.E., Suite 15, Maple Valley, 98038.
For more information about this event or the Arts Council, log on to www.maplevalleyarts.com, or call 425-413-0810.
