Assistant Professor of Music and Taylor grad Loralee Songer (‘04) takes the stage at Carnegie Hall, but her first stop is Taylor.
Friday at 7:30 p.m., Songer will perform “In Our Own Words: A Collaboration of Female Composers and Poets.”
Taylor receives the honor of hearing a preview of her concert before it is performed on Oct 14th, at Carnegie Hall as part of the DCINY Artist Series. Songer said she felt the recital needed to be early so she could have a chance to practice before the real thing.
A year ago when Songer got the opportunity to audition at Carnegie Hall, she chose her own selection of contemporary female composers and poets for the occasion. Songer will not only be performing a female-inspired performance, but she will also be premiering an original piece, written for her, composed by her friends.
This recital includes the song “Little Black Book,” a piece written for Songer by Caitlin Vincent and Susan LaBarr with Carnegie Hall in mind. LaBarr will be attending the performance on the 14th to hear the full piece performed in person.
“I can tell that they wrote it for me, which is really special, because they know that with my personality, I wouldn't want it to be overly romantic or overly dramatic,” Songer said. “I'd much rather it'd be funny.”
Not only was Songer a Taylor grad, but she also grew up in Upland and is now back in the same office in which she received vocal training from Patrica Robertson, professor of music. Songer said it feels like a homecoming to her.
This is not Songer’s first time performing in Butz Carruth Recital Hall either. She performed there in April 2004, where she held her own senior recital.
Many of Songer’s former professors will be attending along with her family and a new generation of her own vocal students.
“She has really good control over her voice, and she can use it really well to display a wide range of emotions,” said freshman musical theater major Steven Day
Songer has spent countless hours in the practice room to be able to sustain her voice for the whole performance and wants to demonstrate such to her students.
Songer said her intention behind faculty recitals is to demonstrate on a technical level what she expects to see from her students and provide an example. She has learned a lot from attending many recitals over the years as a student and a professional.
“She’s super knowledgeable and knows what she is talking about, so it is easy for me to trust her,” said freshman Hannah Gerig. “She knows just exactly what I need to do with my voice to make things happen and make things sound the best.”
Come join Songer and her family tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Butz Carruth Recital Hall for a little humor, a homecoming and even some cake afterward.
