Dr. Clyde Lindley is a seasoned veteran when it comes to collecting autographs. The director of academic affairs at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science has been doing it for the past 40 years.
He put his experience to good use in March, arranging for fiddle master Charlie Daniels to autograph a donated violin, which will go to a very lucky raffle ticket holder after a drawing in December.
“He was gracious enough to sign it in the green room before a performance at the Silver Star in Philadelphia,” said Lindley. “And he signed the certificate of authenticity, too. It”s all on display in the Hooper building on campus, with the pen he signed it with.” Hooper is located on the campus of Mississippi University for Women, the home of MSMS. The prized fiddle also comes with a case.
“Our kids had done ”The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and he really liked that,” Lindley added.
Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the active MSMS music department, led by Dawn Barham, as its choral and instrumental ensembles and jazz band travel. Students last year took an educational multi-day trip along a portion of the Mississippi Blues Trail, performing along the way. They were also invited to play in Como at the marker dedication for late bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell.
“Dawn does such a tremendous job,” Lindley praised.
The winning ticket will be drawn during the MSMS Christmas concert in December, on a date to be announced. Tickets are $5, available at the Academic Affairs Office in the MUW Hogarth Student Center, the MSMS Residence Life Office and the MSMS Music Department.
For more information, contact the Music Department at 800-400-4656, or 662-329-7360.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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