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Commencement 2007

Singing any song

The following is excerpted from the 2007 Commencement address by E. LaVerne Epp ’72, Lawrence (Bethel College president 2002-05), to the Bethel College Class of 2007.

As I have spent more time in recent years isolating and studying the power of imagination, I am reminded of [an autobiographical] story. A Bethel story. In my first years as a student here, I majored in vocal music. As I prepared for a sophomore voice recital, I grappled mightily with the notes and rhythms of an unfamiliar song by contemporary composer Ned Rorem. I recall a voice lesson with music professor David Suderman. My anxiety about singing that piece was high, so much so that I lobbied Dr. Suderman to change literature or, if necessary, even cancel the recital less than two weeks away.

David Suderman was a person of great gifts – generous compassion, uncontaminated optimism, impenetrable grace. He was the kind of person who woke up each morning and fell in love with the world all over again. He was also an experienced teacher and a shrewd architect of character.

That day in his studio, he challenged me. It has been many years, but I still hear his words. “Imagine yourself romancing the audience,” he said in his legato style of speaking. “Use this opportunity to tell the story of this song, even of yourself. And remember, if you do it with this one, you can do it with any.”

During the past 35 years, I have thought often about Dr. Suderman. I have recalled that session in his studio. Over time, it has come to me that the lesson he taught that day was not about mastering a difficult musical score. It wasn’t even about preparing for a vocal recital or a career in music. The lesson of that day was how the power of imagination can change behavior and transform life. How it can instill confidence, how it can fashion courage to pursue the unfamiliar. How it can awaken a certain person’s entrepreneurial spirit and lead a person to become the first in his family to consider a law career, to start and build a business, to become a college president. Imagination that has, for me, fueled an insatiable love for learning and the discovery of joy in nearly every new experience. An imagination that derives its power and beauty from being able to sing any song.