By Leah Nath, Contributing Writer
Music education major Sally Fetterman ’24 performed her senior recital on Oct. 21 in Paul Recital Hall. Fetterman’s music education advisor is Assistant Professor for the Sunderman Conservatory of Music William O’Hara, though her recital preparation and performance were also assisted by Associate Professor of Voice Dr. Susan Hochmiller and Professor Jocelyn Swigger.
Fetterman spoke on her connections with the Sunderman Conservatory faculty: “My favorite aspect of Gettysburg is the relationship between the students and the faculty. I feel so supported by Dr. Hochmiller and Dr. Swigger, and am forever grateful that I get the opportunity to collaborate with them!”
Fetterman was accompanied by Dr. Swigger on the piano for eight of her songs during the recital. Her performance was preceded by another senior recital by soprano and pianist Delaney Mavica ’24. The two seniors matched with stunning forest-green gowns and white barrettes, a lovely gesture to the time and experiences they have shared throughout their musical and educational journey at Gettysburg.
Sally Fetterman’s Senior Recital Poster (Photo Courtesy of Sally Fetterman)
Senior recitals require an immense amount of preparation. Fetterman said, “…my senior recital will be my favorite [Sunderman] Conservatory memory… it was such a fulfilling experience to get to connect with the audience and show everyone what I’ve learned during my time here.”
Fetterman performed a total of twelve songs in English, French and German. Her vocal performances were alternated with a display of their skill on the piano. Fetterman’s crowning talent that was revealed during the recital was her ability to convey emotion through music.
“I chose songs that were set to texts that I could connect with deeply and that would challenge me in ways that would make me a better musician,” Fetterman said. “My favorite recital song was ‘Le Secret’ by Gabriel Fauré. What I enjoyed about this song is how vulnerable it is.”
Each song told a vivid story, entrancing the audience through Fetterman’s facial expressions and tone. Many of the songs in the recital required her to switch between contrasting or oppositional emotions. The second piece of the recital by Gabriel Fauré had three sections which alternated between quite joyful, hopeful tones and melancholic, mournful ones.
Fetterman also displayed this skill on the piano with her performance of “Andaluza,” which balanced dissonance and harshness on her left hand with the softness and grace of her right hand, used to guide listeners through the journey of the music.
Besides being accompanied on piano by Swigger, Fetterman was joined on stage by long-time friends and fellow seniors, Adela Holahan ’24 and Lizzie Fuscaldo ’24. While Fetterman accompanied her on the piano, Holahan sang a rousing piece from “Orange Afternoon Lover,” an arrangement by Lori Laitman of Margaret Atwood poems. Fuscaldo and Fetterman performed a two-part piano duet to finish out the recital. The first part of this performance was imbued with emotion to convey a joyful motif switching between manic and softer tones. The second part was bright and celebratory to convey the perfect finish for the performance, earning Fetterman a raging applause.
Fuscaldo elaborated on her collaboration with Fetterman for this event, which was the first senior recital she has performed in.
“I adore Sally and have really enjoyed working with her. We are a really good pair and the piece we are performing is a great, happy one to end with,” Fuscaldo said.
Fetterman’s duets with these performers were seamless, and the performers operated together as one person while generating a perfect balance to ensure that all three shone.
Many of Fetterman’s friends and family attended the recital, including alumni of Gettysburg College and Sunderman Conservatory, Sophie Low ’23. Low said, “Sally gave such a beautiful recital showcasing her great taste in repertoire, her sensitivity to detail, and her elegant stage presence. I always love watching her perform!”
Reflecting on their time at Gettysburg College, Fetterman emphasized the value of the Conservatory: “…my best piece of advice for future students would be to take advantage of the collaboration opportunities at the Sunderman Conservatory. There is no better way to get close instruction and guidance from faculty. It is also a great way to connect musically with peers!”
Current member of the Conservatory’s College Choir Katie Poliero ’25 commented on the recital, saying, “Sally’s voice is absolutely angelic, and that combined with her clear passion for music makes listening to her sing a wonderful experience… I feel so blessed having gotten the chance to sing with her, as well as getting to know her for the kind and radiant person she is.”
Fetterman’s history with music spans back through her life to elementary school, when she first started taking piano lessons and participating in band, orchestra and choir. Their journey will continue on after graduating as Fetterman plans to become a music teacher and own a personal piano and voice studio.
(Editor’s Note: This article was edited at 12:17 p.m. on November 10, 2023 to correct the attribution of two quotes. – L. Franchetti)
