A Salute to Soldiers and Loved Ones in Piano and Poetry

A Salute to Soldiers and Loved Ones in Piano and Poetry will feature the extraordinary talents of pianist and composer Sylvia Johns Ritchie, and poet and veteran G. Mark LaFrancis. They will create a live show that has not been experienced before in the Miss-Lou. The audience will be taken on a musical and poetic journey into the hearts and souls of soldiers and loved ones.
Ritchie's professional reputation spans throughout the South. She has performed and written scores of musical programs, all of which have been acclaimed by audiences.
The poetry is based on LaFrancis' many years of conversations with soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan and their loved ones.
Among the guest readers are Darryl Grennell, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors; Beverly Adams, who has performed in many Natchez Little Theatre plays, Judy Daniels Wiggins, retired Co-Lin English teacher, author and actress. Gifted vocalist Andre' Keys, a talented Ferriday High School graduate, will provide patriotic musical selections.
The program will be in the W. L. Nelson Multi-Purpose Room in the Career and Technical Education Center. There will be items for sale, and a donation will be accepted to the Festival of Music.