James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship

Just about everyone in Memphis can at least hum “Ole Man River,” thanks to James Hyter, who passed away in April.

James Hyter at his final performance of the Memphis in May Sunset Symphony in 1998.

Mr. Hyter’s rendition of the tune from “Showboat” at the Memphis in May Sunset Symphony , which he sang for 21 years, made any other version pale in comparison. He was a member of the Memphis Symphony Chorus and the St. Luke Methodist Church choir.

His bass-baritone voice inspired a Elizabeth Neilsen, who had heard him sing, to establish the James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation. She was able to secure initial funding from her employer, Morgan Keegan.

“This scholarship was such as honor to him, said his daughter Beverly Hyter-Ngah. “He was honored and happy it was done while he was living so he could participate in deciding who would receive the scholarship.” Mr. Hyter always attended the required auditions with Community Foundation staff.

Melanie Stanek, a Lausanne Collegiate School graduate and now a freshman at the University of Memphis, received the scholarship this year.

“I’m really interested in musical theater,” she said. “I have been performing for 11 years and started voice lessons when I was 13. My first theater role was in ‘Babes in Arms’ at Lausanne when I was in the fourth grade. I just fell in love with it – the music and the art.”

Melanie said she learned of the scholarship on FastWeb “when I was looking for local scholarships to help finance my education. For the audition, I sang an Italian aria, ‘Corner of the Sky’ from Pippin and Greensleaves.”

Students like Melanie and the 43 others who have benefited from his scholarship fund will help keep Mr. Hyter’s legacy alive.