The arts at UTM for spring 2003 have begun.

First in line for the voice recitals was Blair Chadwick. Chadwick performed a one hour set Thursday night in the Harriet Fulton Performing Arts Theatre.

Accompanied on piano by Janice Dougherty, Chadwick astonished the crowd with his talent.

The first half of the program had a very serious tone to it. With serious expressions encased on his face, Chadwick reached inside his very soul and looked as though he had experienced all he was singing about.

With an amazing vocal range and that undying quiver in his voice, he took total control over the audience and displayed his passion for singing.

His first half included songs by George Frideric Handel, Antonio Caldara, Francesco Durate and Guiseppe Verdi.

He did two songs by Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert. This second half, much lighter than the first, included songs by Ambroise Thomas, Ernest Chausson, Jules Massenet, Victor Masse, Douglas Moore and Joseph Philip Knight. Only three songs were sung in English.

The crowd favorite was “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep” by Knight.

After his performance, Chadwick cracked a slight smile before taking his bow and then exiting the stage.

After his performance, Chadwick was bombarded by new and old admirers alike. “I feel relaxed and had fun. If I had the chance, I would do it again,” Chadwick said.

Chadwick credits his high school voice teacher Stanley Jenkins from Clarksville for inspiring him to pursue music and Dr. John Dougherty as his UTM inspiration.

After posing for pictures and greeting people, he candidly replied that the amount of time he spent in preparation for tonight started out as hours and became the equivalent of months.

The next event sponsored by the Department of Music will be at 8 p.m., Jan. 26. There will be a faculty recital in the Harriet Fulton Theatre. Admission is free.

The final January event is a jazz concert by Zim Ngqawana, which takes place at 8 p.m. on Jan. 27, also in the theatre. Admission is free.

For more information on these and other events, call the Department of Music at 7402.