Mel Foster

Mel Foster, tenor, is an Assistant Professor of Voice at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga, His degree work was completed at the Eastman School of Music and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Along with performing opera and oratorio, he enjoys performing duo recitals with his wife, harpist Ellen Heinicke Foster.

Three Singers Transcend Discrimination

In every audition, all kinds of discrimination take place: against tall people, short people, fat people, skinny people, people whose voices are too big for the part and those whose are too small, people who are too attractive and those who are unattractive, those who are heterosexual and those who are homosexual, those whose skin color happens to be the wrong shade of black or brown or even white, those who look the part versus being able to sing the part—the list goes on. These things we cannot change, but we can learn to change the way we represent ourselves in these auditions and performances. By learning about one type of discrimination, we gain courage to face our own challenges.

Feb 01 Mel Foster

An Interview with William Brown

I remembered Mr. Brown from the summer of ‘84 at the Brevard Music Festival in Brevard, North Carolina; he sang the role of Faust, I was a high school scholarship participant. This interview happened just moments after Mr. Brown had participated in a recital of music by T.J. Anderson on March 9, 1997 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The recital was one of the many performances taking place during the Symposium for the National Black Music Caucus of the Music Educators National Conference. Our meeting was rather impromptu. Although he had come to Symposium to rekindle relationships with old friends and composers, he deemed it necessary to speak to me immediately.

Feb 01 Mel Foster

An Interview with Vinson Cole

I remembered Vinson Cole from an article I read in Opera News in December of 1989 entitled ’Accentuate the Positive’. The article mentioned that he was performing regularly with Seattle Opera so I decided to try to find him through the Internet Directory in Seattle, Washington. I have to admit that I was surprised to find his address, phone number and e-mail address. I was surprised yet again when Mr. Cole phoned me from Leipzig, after having received an e-mail and a phone message from me. The phone interview lasted approximately forty-five minutes.

Feb 01 Mel Foster

An Interview with George Shirley

This interview took place on March 8, 1997 in Savannah, Georgia, at the Mulberry Inn. We met at 10am for brunch. He presented himself as a dignified yet warm individual, with a wonderful sense of humor. Though brunch lasted only half an hour, the interview lasted two hours; beginning with casual conversation and then moving on to prepared questions.

Feb 01 Mel Foster

Mel Foster

Three Singers Transcend Discrimination

An Interview with William Brown

An Interview with Vinson Cole

An Interview with George Shirley

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