Common background between faculty helps as basis for concert

By Olivia Gard
Ames247 Staff Writer

Mary Creswell, associate professor of music in voice, and William David, professor of music in keyboard, are tied by their intersecting music backgrounds.

Both Creswell and David attended the University of Michigan, where each worked with professor pianist Eugene Bossart, who also had experience as “an accompanist for some of the greatest opera and classical singers in the country,” said Creswell. In their time there, both worked on learning songs by composer Richard Strauss.

Because of this common background between Creswell and David, Strauss music is the centerpiece for their upcoming joint concert on Sunday.

The concert will feature Creswell singing with David as piano accompaniment.  The concert will be their first duo recital with one another. Both Creswell and David have had experience performing three or four of the pieces included in the concert in the past, which makes it relatively new material for them both.

Pieces featured will be by composers Hayon, Strauss, Rossini, Gurney, and Persichetti, a piano solo David will perform. The languages of the music range between English, German, and French. The Strauss songs will be the most technically difficult, said David.

When pianists and vocalists work together, both work to understand the interpretation of the songs. For pianists, this is especially important in order to understand the formation of the phrasing.

“It’s almost like there’s a third ear,” said Creswell. “I think with pianists who do collaborative work and who work with solo singers and other instruments, there’s a different kind of listening.”

Creswell and David teach individual lessons with students, and faculty recitals require the faculty to put forth the same type of effort the students themselves are learning to do. Staying active as a performer helps to develop their empathy as teachers, said Creswell.

“I want to keep performing as long as I can because I think it enhances my teaching,” said Creswell.

Mary Creswell and William David Concert
When: Sunday 7:30 p.m.
Where: Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Music Hall
Cost: Free