College Choir to unveil new Commencement anthem by Rob Deemer

The premiere of “Song on May Morning,” a new work by Music Composition professor Rob Deemer, will be performed by the Fredonia College Choir at both Commencement ceremonies Saturday.

Choir Director Gerald Gray said there is a limited repertoire of anthems suitable for a graduation, so last fall Dr. Gray asked Dr. Deemer to write a selection for this year’s event.

“He appreciates the ceremony very much and was thrilled to be able to write for it,” Gray said of his School of Music colleague.

“Song on May Morning” was inspired by the text of a poem by 17th century English poet John Milton.

“I was lucky enough to find a poem that speaks to the anticipation of spring as well as to the sense of welcoming the graduates into their new lives,” Deemer explained.

Writing a composition for the class of 2011’s Commencement has added personal significance for Deemer. “In addition to celebrating the achievements of this year's graduating class, I have a personal inspiration in that this year the students who were freshmen during my first year of teaching at SUNY Fredonia are graduating,” he said.

“Song on May Morning” will be sung by the choir, comprised of nearly 50 students, without accompaniment during the Interlude portion of the morning and afternoon ceremonies. It is dedicated to President Dennis L. Hefner and Gray. “This will be the very first time anyone has heard the work outside of myself hearing the choir in rehearsals last week,” Deemer said. “They sounded fantastic!”

Deemer’s composition drew high praise from Gray, who says “it’s fantastic, exactly what we need. I think people are going to enjoy it.” And perhaps, Gray added, “Song on May Morning” may begin a new SUNY Fredonia tradition.

“I hope to have other music faculty who are composers write pieces for the coming years,” said Gray, who has directed the choir for the last nine years. “Maybe this could be the start of a series of compositions for SUNY Fredonia Commencement.”

Nothing could be more pleasing to Deemer, who said the creative arts are an extremely important aspect of life at SUNY Fredonia and Commencement is the perfect venue for a composer to give back to the campus community.