It is almost time to bid farewell to one of Eastern’s most adored voices and teachers as she graces the Doudna Fine Art Center’s Recital Hall one final time.

Dr. Marilyn Coles is preparing to end her 27-year long career as a professor in the Music Department by performing her solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dr. Coles will be accompanied by Paul Johnston, an associate professor of jazz studies and jazz piano, in what he says will be their second full length program together.

The concert is free entry and will be consisting of more than 20 songs, four of which are Johnston’s own jazzy compositions and other will include an aria from Carmen and selections from the American Songbook.

Coles said the concert, mixing of jazz, classical and opera pieces, is expected to last a little over an hour and while it will be her finale show, she wants it to be a celebration.

But after almost three decades of teaching at Eastern, her students and colleagues had wonderful things to say about her, so in regards to why she finally decided to retire, Coles just said it was time.

“I just decided that maybe it was time,” Coles said. “All of my friends were retiring around me, so I thought maybe it was time.”

Coles has had a highly impressive singing career, not only in the United States but also in Europe. She’s lived in Austria and Germany, became fluent in German and spent ten years abroad teaching and singing in opera houses and performing in England, France and Italy.

Dan Crews, director of patron services, acclaimed Coles’ voice and mentioned the lasting effect she has had on her students during her time at Eastern.

“Dr. Coles is a very beautiful singer and it’s nice that our students get to work one on one with such a professional like she is.” Crews said. “It’s nice that she’s been able to bring her professional experience, from singing in Europe, here and sort of inspire new generations of singers.

Coles said her mother claimed she could tell that her daughter had a gift for singing at the age of three months, but her actual public singing didn’t start until three years later.

“I started singing in churches at the age of three and I just sang all the time,” Coles said. “Every time anybody came over, I was ready to sing and every time we got into the car, I was singing.”

This habit of singing all the time has led her to become a mezzo soprano, which is the singing voice that opera singers normally use.

Although she decided to pursue the classical route, she said her favorite genres of music are both classical and jazz, which is what she’ll be singing on Saturday.

In regards to jazz music, Crews also had some kind words about Cole’s accompanying pianist Paul Johnston.

“He’s a fantastic pianist and a great composer,” Crews said. “He’s a very nice guy, fantastic musician and will be a great accompanist for Dr. Coles.”

Johnston said he started composing his own music while in college. In fact, one of his college compositions will be featured in Saturdays show.

He’s also very happy to be working with Coles who he said was very welcoming to him when he first came to Eastern.

“Dr. Coles has been very dedicated and a wonderful service to the department and university,” Johnston said. ‘We will certainly miss her.”

Crews had a similar melancholy reaction to Dr. Coles’ upcoming departure.

“It’s going to be a big void here without Dr. Coles because of the role she’s played, not only in the department and in the college, but also in the lives of so many students,” Crews said.

After she retires in June, there was only one question left for Dr. Coles: what’s next?

“I don’t know yet; I’m just going to wait to see what’s out there, it’s like falling off a cliff,” Coles said. “I’ll do some volunteer work; I love to travel and definitely plan to go back abroad.”

Darronte Matthews can be reached at 581-2812 or dqmatthews@eiu.edu.