Come to a WomenSing concert and you’ll see Jim Pearson hauling box risers in and out, hard at work as assistant stage manager, despite arthritis and complaining knees. You’ll also spot him serving as house manager, a job he assigned himself when he recognized a need to develop the professionalism of volunteer ushers and to oversee the lobby before and during concerts.

If WomenSing has a need, fill it. That is the attitude of this dedicated volunteer, husband of singer Ann Pearson. A retired physicist and financial mathematician, Jim spends countless hours applying his technological expertise to WomenSing projects. Three times a year, he produces practice CDs and Internet audio files to aid singers in learning their music.

In addition, Jim manages the software, hardware, and computer operations for the chorus’ annual auction. On his own initiative, he pursues what he dubs his current “hobby horse,” an endeavor to maintain the database in Musetta, WomenSing’s new home on the Web. “His mind is always working,” says Ann. She notes, too, that her husband can become overloaded because he has a hard time saying no. He served twice on WomenSing’s board and several times led the choral director search committee. A musician in his own right, Jim plays piano, organ, harpsichord, oboe, English horn, bassoon, contrabassoon, recorders, krummhorn, and tuba. He has also taught himself to play the zither, bagpipes, and musical saw. He arranges music and once created a piano four-hand arrangement of Brahms’ Requiem for a church that could not afford an orchestra.

Lend a Hand
If you can help, email us at volunteer@womensing.org.

What inspires Jim to devote quantities of his time and effort to WomenSing? Ann, who joined the chorus in 1987, says, “Jim has, all our married life, supported me in everything I do. He really loves music. He cares very much about keeping good music alive and well, so he is willing to help in whatever way he can.” Martín and the singers inspire Jim as well. “I feel that the WomenSingers are taking their product more and more seriously — working harder and harder and getting better and better. That’s really heartening,” he says.

Knowledgeable and generous, Jim Pearson earns a standing ovation from a grateful chorus.