Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall Dedicated

The university's new Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall was dedicated with a concert on Friday, October 22.

The 19,000-square-foot space, with seating for about 160, was made possible by a gift of $1.75 million from Karen Kermani Peterson, widow of Don Peterson '62. The space commemorates the lifelong friendship and shared passion for music enjoyed by Don Peterson and Karen Kermani Peterson's brother, Peter Kermani '62.

The project is part of a larger renovation of Griffiths Arts Center, which includes a new exterior, the performance hall, classrooms, studios and faculty offices.

The first half of the dedication concert featured compositions and performances by St. Lawrence faculty and students: "Detour," by Christopher Watts, performed by Watts and David Henderson; "Elysian Fields," by Michael Farley, with performers including Barbara Phillips-Farley, Christian Hosmer, Tim Savage, Kay Caldwell, Kyle Tupper and Henderson; and "Arirang," by In-Sil Yoo, performed by the Laurentian Singers, directed by Barry Torres, with Haley Feickert '11, of Canton, as soloist.

A program of contemporary Mexican music, performed by Jonathan Golove on cello and Stephen Manes on piano, comprised the second half of the program.