Marilyn Coles will be making up for a previous concert that she missed because of an illness.

Coles, a vocal music professor, will perform pieces from American composers during “An Evening of American Songs” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Recital Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

This concert was previously scheduled for the fall semester but was canceled when Coles came down with an illness.

Coles has been performing in different venues including opera in European countries.

Jeannie Ludlow, an English professor and the director of women’s studies, said she does not know much about the actual concert, but said she is looking forward to it.

“Marilyn Coles is a phenomenal singer and I’m sure it’ll be good,” Ludlow said.

This performance is a part of “Women Imagine Change” Women’s History Month.

“Whenever a woman performs, I figure that is a reason for it to be a part of Women’s History and Awareness Month,” Coles said. “The songs on this program don’t happen to be about women, but they are songs that a lot of female singers have made famous.”

Paul Johnston, the coordinator of the combo program, will accompany Coles during the performance.

“He does a wonderful job of improvising in between the parts that I sing,” Coles said.

Coles said the 15 pieces she will perform will spread over many genres from classical, jazz and Broadway.

“Some songs are more classical, some are based on folk songs, they’re not all that classical-sounding,” Coles said. “I think all the songs in the classical portion are very easy to listen to, there are no foreign languages, they are very comfortable songs to listen to.”

Coles said she picked all of the different songs being performed.

“They are all songs that I love,” Coles said.

Coles said most of the pieces are from “The American Songbook” and come from the earlier part of the 20th century.

“These are all very familiar names if you know of the musicals from the mid-century,” Coles said.

Coles said she is looking forward to sharing the American music with the audience.

“I love performing and I love singing for my friends and I consider anyone in audience as my friend,” Coles said.

Coles said she hopes audience members enjoy the concert.

“I hope they like the songs and at least the older audience members will know most of the songs,” Coles said. “It’s music that everybody can enjoy with or without a background in music.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.