Crane Faculty Recital Celebrates the Seasons in Song

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Soprano Jill R. Pearon will present “A Celebration of the Seasons in Song” on Oct. 5.

POTSDAM, NY (09/24/2010)(readMedia)-- As the seasons slip from one into the next, the fleeting months are marked by more than just a change in weather -- the passing of time is also signified by a change in mood and more. Now, the shifting seasons have inspired Crane School of Music Associate Professor of Voice Dr. Jill R. Pearon to present a fittingly varied recital.

The accomplished soprano will present "A Celebrations of the Seasons in Song" at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5 in Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall. Accompanied by pianist François Germain, the assistant provost will mark the transience of time with an ambitious variety of 23 works in seven different languages and an array of musical styles, divided into sets based on the season they are inspired by.

"With the broad range of styles, languages and moods, I was hoping to create a program that would both entertain and delight a diverse audience. The goal was to program a recital that would hold the attention and interest of classical musician and non-musician alike," Pearon said.

The Crane Faculty Recital will begin with a celebration of summer and transition into sets that ruminate on fall, winter and finally, spring. North Country Public Radio host Todd Moe will read poetry selections at the beginning of each seasonal set, and Pearon will change her costume-and even the flowers on stage-to reflect the season she is singing about.

"I find comfort, peace and a sense of connection when I am out in the natural places left on our planet. In fact, I find a great deal of joy in observing the seasons. The perpetual change and wonder of each bud and snowflake give me endless hope," Pearon said.

The recital will include songs by Brahms, Poldowski, Fauré, Strauss, Nadia Boulanger, Schumann, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Schubert and Bizet, to name just a few. Pearon will sing in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Czech and Greek.

"Literal discussions of and imagery about nature and the seasons abound in song literature. There was a seemingly endless amount of repertoire to choose from," Pearon said. "While that could make programming a bit overwhelming, it made the end result very interesting and diverse."

Pearon holds degrees from the University of Evansville, Southern Methodist University and the University of Michigan, where she received her doctorate, having studied with professionals such as Shirley Verrett, Martin Katz, Lorna Haywood and Robin Rice. She has performed in opera, recital and concert venues across the United States and in Europe. She specializes in creating unique themed recital programs often incorporating staged, costumed and visual components. Additionally, she has a particular interest in 20th century and chamber music and has premiered several new works. Pearon has previously held faculty positions at Capital University, Kenyon College and Southern Methodist University. She has been honored to present masterclasses from Massachusetts to California.

This concert is free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information about the many performances on the calendar of events at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, visit www.potsdam.edu/newsandevents.

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Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures, and concerts presented by faculty, students, and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York's only All-Steinway institution.

-www.potsdam.edu/crane-