By Kenzie Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
On Mar. 2 at 8:30 p.m. in Paul Recital Hall, music and Spanish double major Leah McCann ’24 took to the stage to perform her senior recital. This performance spotlighted McCann’s talent on the violin, an instrument she has been playing for thirteen years.
The recital began with a combination of works by Elizabeth Bishop ’23 and Natalie Dolan ’23. Bishop’s piece was entitled “Duets for Two Violins,” and Dolan’s piece was entitled “Two Violin Duets.” McCann was accompanied by Jamie Dinella ’24 on violin for this duet. The movements played for this section of the recital included “Grounded” by Bishop, “New” by Dolan, “Floating Freely” by Bishop and “Change” by Dolan.
“The duets created by Bishop and Dolan were written especially for my recital,” McCann detailed in her program.
McCann further explained this choice: “I also wanted my recital to have heartfelt connections to my personal development as a musician, which is why I asked Natalie Dolan ’23 and Elizabeth Bishop ’23 to compose a duet that reflected the friendships I have built through music.”
The performance continued with Eugène Ysaÿe’s “Sonata No. 5 for violin, Op. 27.” McCann played the movements “L’Aurore” and “Danse Rustique” of this piece.
Leah McCann ’24 (Photo Provided)
McCann’s recital closed with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Concerto in G minor, Op. 80.” McCann was accompanied by Dr. Scott Crowne on piano, and they performed the movements “Allegro maestoso,” “Allegro molto” and “Moderato” of this piece.
Explaining the song choices for her recital, McCann said, “I chose songs that were not very common for audiences and made them listen differently for each piece. For example, the Ysaÿe sonata features sounds and effects to mimic nature, which feel almost otherworldly compared to the sweeping and rich texture of the Coleridge-Taylor concerto.”
McCann shared that her time at Gettysburg College has allowed her to know herself better.
“I was able to discover myself in many ways, particularly through declaring a double major,” she said.
She also expressed her gratitude for the community and friendships she found while at Gettysburg: “This support truly shone through during the night of my recital, but it also comes in the smaller moments too. The community I have built is one I know I can count on.”
When talking about some of her favorite memories from the Conservatory, McCann drew from her chamber music experiences.
“I was able to work with Sally Fetterman ’24 on a wonderful piece, the Beethoven Spring Sonata, as a long-term project. We then were able to put on a small recital of the piece at the end and became great friends through our musical and individual growth,” she said.
Another one of McCann’s favorite memories was a chamber collaboration with Jamie Dinella ’24.
“She made one of my first Gettysburg music experiences here so very special and brought that same magic to my recital,” McCann said.
McCann was relieved to have her senior recital complete, but there was a mixture of melancholy in the moment as well.
“I will miss the process of preparation and the excitement, but I am also very excited to see what musical repertoire I can explore in my last few months here,” McCann said.
Similar emotions arose in McCann when she spoke upon being a senior: “Of course, it is bittersweet, but the idea of being a senior also holds a lot of hope and optimism for me. I know that I will dearly miss Gettysburg, but I am equally excited for what comes after my time here.”
After graduation, McCann will be a strings instructor at the only nonprofit school in Lehigh Valley, Community Music School of Allentown.
“I am very excited to carry their mission forward,” McCann expressed.
McCann provided advice for current and future Gettysburg College students.
“Give yourself time to explore—you have a community to support you!” she said. “One of the biggest mistakes I made in my first year was assuming that college is something you have to do all on your own. We are all figuring ourselves out and it is natural and normal to not always have the answer.”
