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Ann Elizabeth Cleary Kearns
1939 - 2016
Ann Elizabeth Cleary Kearns
1939 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
Ann Kearns Obituary
Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, she held a bachelor's from Stanford University, completed the choral conducting program at Juilliard School of Music, and earned an master's of music in music history from the University of Wisconsin.
From 1976 to 2000 she was professor of music and choral director at Hampshire College. As one of the first female choral directors in the Pioneer Valley, she led the way for other women to enter the field. From 1972 to 1979 she lead Da Camera Singers (an early music choral group) which continues to this day. The composer of many published choral works she had distinguished commissions and performances by the Blanche Moyse Chorale, Alice Parker and others. She also received several grants and awards.
Ann was an avid birder, extraordinary musician, political activist, member of the Amherst environmental community and loving grandmother. She was an active volunteer and member of the Kestrel Land Trust advisory council where she organized walks and talks once or twice a month to bring people out on the land. She died overlooking the beloved Mount Holyoke Range which the Kestrel Land Trust continues to preserve.
She is survived by her longtime partner, Mary Hocken of Amherst; her former husband Thomas R. Kearns of Shutesbury; her daughter Julia Abbott and her husband Bob of Wellesley; her son Matthew and his wife Lucia of Falmouth, Maine; and her cherished grandchildren Emily, Benjamin and Matthew Abbott and Peter and Jonathan Kearns.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Kestrel Land Trust of Amherst, Massachusetts, at www.kestreltrust.org or P.O. Box 1016, Amherst, MA 01004.
Services will be Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, followed by a gathering in the Parish Hall. The celebration of Ann's life will continue at 5:30 p.m. at Lewis-Sebring, Valentine Hall, Amherst College.
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Falmouth Maine
February 29, 2024
Thinking of you today, Ann. Our mutual love of our children and of course Grandchildren brought us together. My respect for Ann´s talents and passions holds with me more and more everyday! Thank you, Ann for all our mutual gifts! Love, Althea
May 25, 2016
I knew Ann Cleary at University High School in Urbana, Illinois. Even there she wanted to conduct chorus. I remember rehearsing for a combined chorus sing when John Kuypers was directing the mixed chorus. After he was done he invited Ann up to the podium to direct the same piece. She did it so naturally and with such enthusiasm and energy. She and her sisters lived on Pennsylvania Avenue in Urbana. She married another friend of mine, Tom Kearns, who lived on my block of that same street.
David Hulett
Andrew Paul Leonard
April 13, 2016
I'm still shocked that Ann is gone. I wanted to visit her on my next trip to Amherst. Little did I know that it would be her memorial service (which was beautiful). I sang in the Hampshire College Chorus for 4 years under Ann's baton. There isn't a day in my life where I don't think about Ann. She introduced me (and many) to beautiful music. When we were done performing it, she would always say it is now yours." Indeed, she was right. Her music is forever hardwired in my hippocampus. Till this day I still sing the bass parts of Bach cantatas, Amy Beach, Daniel Asia, Ann Kearns' own compositions and plenty more. Ann will be deeply missed by many.
Nick Seamon
April 9, 2016
I've known Ann since my days at Hampshire in the late 70's. She had such a wonderful spirit. Her love of music was evident to me from the beginning. I will miss her
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Althea McGirr
April 8, 2016
Ann and I shared the most wonderful gift of all, our grandchildren. Through them we became uniquely bonded. I shall miss her dearly.
Magen Solomon
March 19, 2016
Although I hadn't seen Ann in about 30 years, since my days at Smith and Mt Holyoke, I thought of her from time to time, and was always grateful for the gentle support and encouragement she offered me as a young conductor at old, venerable, and tradition-laced institutions. I also always had the highest regard for her sensitivity as a teacher and her refined musical taste, as both conductor and composer. I've regretted that I didn't take advantage of our (relative) physical proximity to get to know her better and to learn more from her. Still, I continue to be grateful for the graceful influence she had on my life.
Magen Solomon
Lisa Heisterkamp Davis
March 17, 2016
"Nature never produces the same thing twice." Picasso
Yes, Ann Kearns was unique! Ann chaired my Division III voice recital in 1982 and educated my ears in the Hampshire College chorus, especially through her Early Music selections. When I complained about not hearing the harpsichord, Ann said "Lisa, the overtones!" I was permanently moved when Ann remarked to the chorus that "It is a privilege to sing." It surely is. She was one wise woman. I am glad to have known her.
I echo others feelings that Ann beamed when talking about her family...at the time Julia and Matthew were young children...and Ann just expanded when saying their names. My condolences to all that loved her.
Anne Somary
March 12, 2016
Celebrating and mourning my dear friend of 58 years...
Dedie King
March 10, 2016
Ann always had a lovely smile and an interesting topic to discuss. She was interested in others and dedicated to music, sharing some of that with me, a non-musician. Her knowledge and quest for learning in so many avenues never seemed to falter. She will be missed. My sympathy and condolences to Mary and the rest of Ann's family.
March 10, 2016
Julia, Bob and family - my heart is broken for you all. Wishing you love, strength and warmth during this terrible time. Love you.
Janet
Sara Upton
March 9, 2016
We met as neighbors in 1972 when we moved to Amherst College and our friendship flourished through the years. You will be missed.
Rebecca Reynolds
March 9, 2016
Ann served on my Div III committee for my thesis on 18th cent Italian opera that sought to redeem the role of the prima donna. Ann was a keen reader and enthusiastic supporter of my work. Her own pioneering musicianship added a currency and potency to my ideas, and enriched my thinking and that of my committee. Her legacy lives.
Annie (Harper) Shull
March 8, 2016
It was hard to hear of Ann's passing. I am so fortunate to have had the chance to sing with the Hampshire Chorus in 1987, if only for a year, under Ann's guidance. The highlight of all my choral experiences to date was singing Fauret's Requiem at an old church in Amherst. What a moving experience, both the preparation for it and the actual event. To this day I treasure that experience every time I hear the piece. Sending love, strength and grace to family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. Thank you for sharing Ann with us.
Karen Tarlow
March 8, 2016
Ann was a dear and supportive composer colleague who shared a wonderful sense of humor. We will all miss her. My condolences to her entire family. May her memory be for a blessing.
Regina Laba Walton
March 8, 2016
Ann was a wonderful conductor and generous teacher. She had so much enthusiasm and joy in her slight frame, and so much energy! I remember at one of our concerts, an international student who had been a Chorus member became unbalanced, and interrupted our performance right in the middle. She came down the center aisle of Grace Church saying that she could no longer participate, because the music condoned the worship of idols (there were classical references in the text). Ann, totally unruffled, just said, "Well [name], I wish you would have mentioned this before." And she turned back around and conducted the piece. (I'm sure as a committed Episcopalian, this accusation of idol-worship amused her.) She certainly taught us reverence for great music. My condolences to Mary and to the Grace Church family.
Dan Sroka
March 8, 2016
I am so sad to learn that one of my favorite teachers has passed away. Ann Kearns was, among many things, the director of the Hampshire College Chorus which I belonged to for many years. Ann was our teacher, advisor, mentor and friend. The chorus was more than a group, it was a family and a home for many of us. She created a space for us to challenge ourselves, and become better people. She demanded commitment and hard work, and rewarded us by sharing her love of music, poetry, and life. She taught us how to be tough, committed, and passionate about our talents. I learned more working with her than from any other person at college. I will miss her greatly.
Joanna Brown
March 7, 2016
I am saddened to hear of Ann's death. I am grateful to have heard her conduct the Hampshire chorus many times. We shared a love of the environment and I am glad that we connected about those shared interests during the last decade. My thoughts and prayers go to Mary and Ann's relatives and the many friends who will miss her. May her memory live on in our own lives in the causes we support and in the passion that we bring to our work and zest for life.
Tasha Harmon
March 7, 2016
Singing under Ann's baton, both during my time at Hampshire, and for several years afterward, was one of the most wonderful musical experiences I've had, in a life full of wonderful musical experiences. Her grace and passion for the music, and her gentle, firm commitment to her singers, embraced all of us. I am so sad to know she's gone.
Eric Johnson
March 7, 2016
I burst into tears this afternoon when I saw the news of Ann's death. Mostly I have been shedding tears of gratitude that I was fortunate enough to be able to sing with her for years in the Hampshire College Chorus. Ann has always been a hero to me. She was a great choral director and a great person.
Thank for for all of the wonderful choral music, Ann! Thank you for the two Bach cantatas we sang every October. Thank you for the great variety of fascinating music you brought us to sing from all over the world, from early music to brand new works. Thank you for showing us, with your passion and intensity, how to sing every piece well, to sing with expression and meaning. Thank you for teaching me, by your example, how to be disciplined and seriously focused on making the music, and how to discover the great joy that comes after all of the hard work in rehearsals, after the music comes together. Thank you, Ann.
Jake Perrine
March 7, 2016
Ann was one of my favorite and influential instructors in my at Hampshire! What an amazing woman! Strength, poise, wisdom, humility, and endless patience and kindness, rivaled only by her love of music and singing. Her manner and lessons have stayed with me, inspired me, and I've passed along many things she's told me to my own students! She now joins the Music of the Spheres - I can only imagine she is singing right along with the larger Universe... Big Love to you Ann! I'll never forget you. --F89
Rachel Blackman
March 7, 2016
Ann was remarkably important to the shape and path of my life. I'm blessed that we stayed in touch across many years beyond graduation. We would speak of many things during visits. Always, always, she beamed brightest when speaking of her kids and grand children. All my love and best thoughts to her family and life loves. I will be listening to Ann's music in the coming days to honor her great musicality, creative voice and spiritual expression.
Andree Kaminsky
March 7, 2016
Ann as my teacher at Hampshire College helped me become the person I am today - she was always supportive and picked me up when I was down. She believed in me even when I didn't. Sending my condolences to her family and my hope that your sweet memories will help ease the sadness in your hearts.
Adam Sweet
March 7, 2016
Ann was one of my favorite teachers at Hampshire College. She was the only person there that had an interest in classical music, and so I spent a lot of time with her. One of my favorite projects was a concert she helped me put on, it was the Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 6 for two violas and continuo. She helped locate a harpsichord for Boomer Harold to play, and was very helpful in coaching rehearsals and putting the finishing touches on the concert. I remember long discussions about chamber music, romantic era composers and innovations in music technology and acoustics that sometimes went well into the night. She was kind, courteous and one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I miss her already.
Deborah Campbell
March 6, 2016
To Mary, and all Ann's family,
I am so sorry for your tremendous loss... you are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Deborah Campbell
Anthony Hill
March 6, 2016
A treat to have known her. We'll all miss her.
Merry Cushing
March 5, 2016
Ann was an amazing woman. She was so dedicated to the causes she loved. Always greeting friends with a cheerful and friendly hello. The world is a better place because of Ann and all she contributed to it.
Catherine Bell
March 5, 2016
How does one thank a mentor who made so much possible? Ann taught me how to conduct and supported me with steadfast faith and unstinting honesty. I owe her a good part of my life as a musician.
We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude for her work with the Kestrel Trust. Amherst would be far less beautiful if she had not made her life here. Her legacy is vast and though we mourn her departure from this realm, we are vastly better for her sojourn here.
All sympathy, thoughts, wishes and condolences to Ann's extended family. She was incredibly proud of you and boasted about you every chance she got. I'm sure the universe is ringing with her praises and love for all of you, even now.
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