The Jane Austen Singing School for Young Ladies, with assistance from the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), Syracuse Region, will present a summer concert of music, readings, and dance in the Dobson Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, on Sunday, July 22, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. The concert is open to the public. Admission is free, but free will donations to support the continuing work of the Singing School are accepted.

The Singing School was created in Fall 2009 by Dr. Joanna Manring as a historical performing experience for young women ages 12-18.  Dr. Manring, a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, aims to help young women develop self-esteem by learning healthy vocal technique and musicianship in a supportive environment.

JASNA is an organization with over 4,000 members in almost 70 regional groups across the U.S. and Canada. Its mission is to foster among the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius. The JASNA Syracuse Region includes all 13xxx and some 14xxx zip codes. More information about the Region is available at its website (http://janeaustensyr.blogspot.com).

The Young Ladies appearing in the summer program will include the Misses Chloe Strang, Imogen Olson, Emily Short, Julia Hearn, Maddie VanRiper, and Maria McLean (all Singing School veterans), and the Misses Mary Lambdin, Allison Lambdin, Carolina Toledo, Meg Lovier, and Aggie Woodbury (first-time participants). The accompanists will be Mr. Jimmy Drancsak, violin; Ms. Sophie Hearn, flute; and Mrs. Claire Howard, piano. Ms. Susanne Marshall and Miss Christina Marshall will act as sewing mistresses to the Young Ladies.

Dr. Manring has worked to select music that would have been familiar in Jane Austen’s world. The program also includes short readings from Austen’s letters and novels, as well as English country dancing (the type of dancing seen in films and TV series based on Austen’s novels). The dancing is being taught to the Young Ladies by the Co-Coordinator of JASNA Syracuse, Miss Lisa Brown. JASNA Syracuse Regional Coordinator Ms. A. Marie Sprayberry will introduce the concert.

So, now that summer finery and summer engagements (in Jane Austen’s own words) are upon us, we hope you’ll join us for a summer engagement in Skaneateles!