MAC's Volunteer Couple of the Year

A multitude of artistic and administrative talents, as well as an abundant willingness to work for the cultural enhancement of their adopted community, made Larry and Pat Springer an easy choice for the Morgan Arts Council to name as their volunteer couple of the year.

From writing lyrics and music, to housing and feeding artists, to high level performances at the demanding task of playing accompaniment for several Ice House productions, the Springers have made a tremendous impact on the artistic life of the county. There are several theater productions that simply would not have occurred without Pat Springer, including every musical ever done at the Ice House. She even performed Shakespeare in the recent "Midsummer Night's Dream."

"Treasure Island," produced by MAC, was a virtuoso performance for the Springers, with Larry adapting the famous story as a play and writing the libretto -- all the words -- for the songs, while Pat wrote all the music, played the accompaniment and served as musical director and coach.

Larry has also been diligent in expanding the quality of artist brought to Morgan County schools by MAC's Adopt-a-School program -- artists like the Morgan State University Choir -- by shamelessly exploiting the couple's many connections through Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Not only does he get artists to come, but the Springers house and feed them.

Beginning as weekenders in the mid-1970s, they have been living full-time in Berkeley Springs since 1998. Currently, Larry serves as Director of the Morgan County Public library, a post he has held since 1999 and which he continues to describe as temporary. Pat teaches and coaches voice and piano both at Berkeley Springs High School and with private students. She also serves as an accompanist. Larry is a retired assistant principal from Baltimore County schools. Pat taught at various Baltimore area colleges and worked as a professional accompanist.