by Michelle Watson
Music has been a part of Mary Jane Crail’s life since she was eight years old. Although one chapter of her musical career is coming to a close, she is continuing on with other opportunities that put her piano and organ skills to good use.
Saturday, April 29, will be Crail’s final performance with Una Vocis Choral Ensemble.
“Mary Jane has been at the heart of Una Vocis,” said Dennis Lee, founder and director of the ensemble choir. “Mary Jane was absolutely my first choice for accompanist. I approached her at an American Guild of Organists (AGO) event and she immediately volunteered to come onboard. I was thrilled.”
Una Vocis launched in early 2005. Since that time, Mary Jane has accompanied weekly rehearsals, sectionals and concerts. She has also composed two pieces that Una Vocis premiered at Christmas.
To honor her commitment to the choir, Lee asked Crail to select some of her favorites for this spring’s performance entitled, “Soundscape.” The pieces she chose were the catalyst that Lee used to assemble the rest of the concert. Crail chose John Tavener’s, “Song of Athene;” Eric Whitacre’s, “Seal Lullaby;” and Eric William Barnum’s, “The Sweetheart of the Sun.” She also chose “Heavenly Home: Three American Songs,” a set of rousing hymns from the sacred harp/southern harmony tradition.
“What I enjoyed the most about performing with Una Vocis was the choral sound that Dennis created, a sound that blends and changes,” said Crail. “It’s especially beautiful in a room with echo.”
Although she will be performing for her last time with Una Vocis, you will still be able to enjoy her beautiful playing at two other places. Crail will continue to be an accompanist at Clear Lake High School and she will continue her duties at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Crail began her career at CLHS in 1971, accompanying both the band and vocal departments.
“It was such a joy when my own daughters where in band and choir, and now I get to accompany my twin grandsons, who are both juniors at CLHS,” said Crail. “I’ve loved watching kids be involved in something as wonderful as music.”
Crail began playing organ and piano at Clear Lake United Methodist Church in 1977.
“I can’t even begin to count how many weddings and funerals I have played,” she said.
Crail began taking piano lessons at age eight from her first teacher, Lulu Anderson, in Des Moines. Anderson’s star pupil was pianist and composer, Roger Williams, who composed, “Autumn Leaves,” in 1955 and “Born Free,” in 1966. He also played for nine U.S. Presidential administrations. By the time Crail was in seventh grade, she was accompanying the high school choir. From there, she attended Drake University, where she studied organ and piano with an emphasis on church music. She’s been playing in Methodist churches and for school choirs ever since.
Crail’s final performance with Una Vocis will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams Ave., Mason City. Nordkor, a youth choir under the auspices of Una Vocis and the direction of founder Melissa Shallberg, will also be performing.
“Immediately following the concert, we invite everyone to join the members of Una Vocis for a reception honoring Mary Jane and her musical legacy,” said Lee.
