Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

April 15, 2012

Bob Keyes: There are praises to be sung at USM

By Bob Keyes bkeyes@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

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"It was definitely meant to be, and the education I received from USM gave me the best foundation I could ask for as an artist," Marshall said.

USM music professor Robert Russell, who will help Martin prepare the singers for "Carmina," said the weekend provides the opportunity to link current and former students and renew friendships.

"We seek at USM to make a connection with our students, not just musical but also in career guidance," he said. "The fact that they are interested in returning for a day of exciting music making is deeply satisfying. I look forward to seeing them and to hearing their stories."

To be sure, the weekend also shines a positive light on USM. The news out of Gorham and Portland these last few weeks has not been positive. There is faculty unrest and a call for changes at the very top of the administration.

Amid the uproar, the School of Music remains one the university's best stories.

"We have great students, of whom we ask a lot," Harris said. "For most of them, USM provides their first engagement with deep exploration of a subject from multiple perspectives, as well as professional expectations in the wider world. From our vantage point, these are key roles of the university, and we see them being fulfilled across many different fields and disciplines at USM.

"We have successes worth singing about, so that's what we're going to do."

Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or: bkeyes@pressherald.com

Twitter: pphbkeyes

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