High school vocal students paced nervously up and down the halls of the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel on May 20, anxiously awaiting their turn to perform in front of representatives from top universities, conservatory teachers, and directors at the 2006 High School Vocal Competition. One-hundred of the 150 students in attendance at the Second Annual College Expo entered the Competition. Perhaps the only people more on edge than the students were the accompanying parents.
Both performed magnificently, however, as many of the students took a giant step forward in fulfilling their vocal dreams. “The quality of the students was excellent,” said Adrian Daly, head of admissions at the Eastman School of Music.
The excitement at the 2nd Annual High School Vocal Competition, sponsored and organized by Classical Singer, was contagious. After performing, students walked confidently out of the competition room sporting giant smiles of both relief and joy. Parents and teachers either sat in the room to observe their child or student perform, or waited anxiously outside the door, hoping and praying for the best. Proud parents and relieved students joyfully embraced after each performance.
The top eight students advanced to the final round, and each singer performed in front of a crowded audience of more than 250 people.
Michael Cherella of Warwick, R.I. won the University of Minnesota Roy A. Schussler School of Music 1st Place prize of $1,000. He also won the Texas Christian University Scholarship Award, a four-year $5,000-per-year scholarship.
Performing in the main ballroom of the Sheraton was a thrill for all the finalists. “The moment that my name was announced is one I will never forget,” said Michael.
Other winners included Chelsea Friedlander (2nd Place), Cree Carrico (3rd Place), John Brancy (Shorter College Scholarship Award), and Joanna HartsHorne (Shorter College Scholarship Award).
Competition adjudicators included Jean Del Santo (University of Minnesota), Stefano Algieri and Valerie Kinslow (McGill University), Fritz Robertson (Anderson University), Kathryn Cowdrick (Eastman School of Music), Caroline Smith (DePauw University), Wendy Hillhouse (San Francisco Conservatory of Music), Robert DeSimone (University of Texas), David Steinau (Susquehanna University), Don Rierson (James Madison University), Lorie Gratis and Christine Anderson (Temple University), and Mary Schiller (Cleveland Institute of Music).
Universities presented masterclasses and workshops to more than 150 students at this year’s College Expo 2006, held in conjuction with the High School Vocal Competition. On Saturday morning during the exhibiting time of the Expo, the students also had the opportunity to meet with 38 vocal programs from all across the nation. The students gained valuable insights into the admissions process, as well as receiving constructive feedback from premiere voice teachers and top administrators.
Registration for the 2007 High School Competition opens Sept. 1. For more information, please visit www.classicalsinger.com/collegeexpo.
