Pete Clason, Bass

Pete Clason, bass, got an early start in vocal music, singing in the children's, youth and adult choirs at the United Methodist Church in Manistee, where he was raised.  He sang in the boys' quartet, boys' octet and high school choir, under the direction of Virginia Reinicke, and also played baritone horn in the pep band and concert band under Raymond Maxwell. He continued with the baritone at Albion College for three years before transferring to the University of Michigan.  It was there that he met a beautiful young alto while singing in Ann Arbor's First United Methodist Church choir.  They have been singing together ever since.

Pete was a science and biology teacher for over forty years, including one year at Belleville, four at Livonia (Emerson Junior High), two years at Highland Park College and 33 years at Oakland Community College, Orchard Ridge campus.

In the fall of 1975, Pete joined the Schoolcraft Choir, and he and Shari remained with the choir until its dissolution by the college in the spring of 2006.  He also played baritone in the Schoolcraft Wind Ensemble for several years and has sung with the Madrigal Chorale of Southfield, the Twelfth Nigh Singers and the Oakland Community College Choral Union.

When David Jorlett formed his chamber group, the David Jorlett Chorale, in 1985, Pete and Shari were invited to join as charter members.  David moved to Minneapolis in 1995, but, fortunately, the chorale was able to stay together and evolved into Cantate!

Pete and Shari enjoy hiking, birding, reading and traveling, especially trips to Burlington, Vermont, to visit their son, daughter-in-law and grandson.  Pete also maintains an email group of high school classmates and another of friends who enjoy birding.

 


Updated Tuesday, April 21, 2009 7:24 PM