Baritone singer Keith Phares will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday at Schwab Auditorium, but this is only one event scheduled on his tour of the State College area this weekend.

Phares' visit is on behalf of the Marilyn Horne Foundation. Founded in 1993 and named after opera singer Marilyn Horne, the foundation encourages young vocalists to continue the art.

"It is a foundation to promote classical song performances," Phares said. "Classical music is dying. [Horne] wanted to promote it."

Amy Vashaw, audience and program development director for Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts, set up Keith's schedule for his visit to Penn State.

"The Center for the Performing Arts has developed a relationship with the Marilyn Horne Foundation over the years," Vashaw said. "The purpose of Keith's performances is to get out there with his song of programs. We want to make people comfortable with the art of singing."

A University of Richmond graduate, Phares said he became seriously interested in singing about halfway through college.

"I used to play trumpet," Phares said. "But then I did a show with an opera singer, and I was encouraged to take lessons."

Phares sang with the New York City Opera and Boston Lyric Opera. He said he defines himself as a classical singer.

"I try to sing with as little tension as possible," Phares said. "To sing without amplification, you must use your voice."

Currently, Phares is mostly doing regional opera and said he enjoys performing genres of music other than classical.

"I enjoy doing new music; you don't have to worry about 100 years of tradition breathing down your neck," Phares said. "I like the music to be as eclectic as possible."

Patricia Risley, Phares' wife, said she loves her husband's voice.

"He has the most beautiful baritone voice I've ever heard, and he likes to deal with the words and phrasing," Risley said.

Phares has been on the roster for the Marilyn Horne Foundation for years, and he said he has done many recitals for the organization.

"The recitals are all classical songs," Phares said. "Each song recital has a singer and a pianist working closely together."

Michael Baitzer will accompany Phares on the piano during his Penn State appearances. The men met at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Baitzer is also on the roster for the Marilyn Horne Foundation.

"It is a fantastic foundation, and it is a tremendous honor to be on the roster," he said. "I am totally supportive of continuing the art of the recital."

Before taking on Schwab Auditorium on Sunday, Phares and Baitzer will play today in the auditorium of the Foxdale Village Retirement Home. They will also stop at the Mount Nittany Middle School to meet with the school's chorus members.

Tomorrow the duo will perform at the Center for the Performing Arts weekly common hour in Recital Hall. They will travel to the Arts Conservatory of Central Pennsylvania to perform for children who take voice lessons there.

Phares said he is excited to come to this area to perform.

"I hope to reach out to a few kids," Phares said. "Little kids are always fun because they're totally open and mesmerized by everything. I haven't worked with college kids, so it will be a completely new experience."