Governor's School Seniors Recitals
It is always an exhilarating experience
to hear the students of the Governor's School sing at the Senior
Vocal Recital and on June 7, 2005 at Chandler Hall we did just that.
Ten graduating students sang thirty solos songs and then joined
together to give a rousing Make Our Garden Grow from Leonard
Bernstein's Candide. Chairman of the Department of Vocal
Music and voice teacher Alan Fischer expressed it well: "It is like
having ten of your own children graduate together." The tears of
celebration and parting on stage and off as they took their bows
bound us together as a community of celebrants.
Erika Boney, in a lovely, high soprano
voice, sang The Singer by Michael Head (1900-1976). The text
of this song, new to this listener, is a love song, including the
line: "His eyes were changeful as the sea." She will be at VCU in
the fall.
Ashley Burroughs was a first place winner
in the statewide Bland Music Competition in 2005. Her rich voice
had a mature sound in Song to the Moon from Rusalka
by Antonin Dvorák. She will attend Carnegie-Mellon University in
Pittsburgh next year.
Jeremy Crum favored German lieder in
his selections and was excellent in Tit Willow (The Mikado)
by Gilbert and Sullivan. We could understand every word. He is undecided
about next year but committed to sharing what he has learned in
his high school music experience, whatever he chooses to do.
Catrice Farmer, who created the role
of Dido in the November 19, 2004 GSA production of Dido and Aeneas
by Henry Purcell, reprised When I Am Laid in Earth. Though
I was impessed with all of her selections, I loved best the bluesy,
cabaret energy of Margaret Bonds' Lord, I Just Can't Keep from
Crying.
Abbey Harr, who has a perfect voice for
Glitter and Be Gay from Bernstein's Candide, also
sang La Violette by Scarlatti. Our friend Shirley Thompson
said it best: "That is the best I've ever heard anyone do that song."
Miss Harr will attend Wheaton College Conservatory of Music.
Ashley Koncz, who is a good actress,
was very fine in Sondheim's Sooner or Later. The song opens
with rich low notes, gradually opening upward. Musical theater seems
a natural fit for her talents at this time. Her plans include attending
Hartt College of Music this fall.
Nichole Lewis sang Dat's Love
from Carmen Jones by Bizet/Hammerstein in a most convincing
performance and in a rich, deep seductive voice. George Mason University
is her destination this fall.
Adam Richardson is an expressive singer
with a beautiful vocal tone. My favorite selection was On the
Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady by Lerner and
Lowe. The song opens as if Adam were a bass but his voice becomes
a smooth, sweet baritone as the song developes. He will attend Carnegie-Mellon
University.
Katelyn Sexton opened the recital with
all three of her selections. My comment was "high voice, high spirits."
Victor Herbert's Art is Calling for Me completed her set
and she plans to follow that calling at George Mason this fall.
Allyson Wolf, who played the role of
the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas in the GSA fall performance
of Purcell's opera, floated some lovely high notes in her selections.
This was especially impressive in Ombra mai fu by Handel.
She is headed to Longwood University.
The graduating class of 2005 came together
to present a thrilling performance of Bernstein's Make Our Garden
Grow featuring Ms. Burroughs and Mr. Richardson in the leading
roles. These young people have an incredibly good foundation to
build on, developed by their experience with the devoted vocal staff
in the vocal music department: Alan Fischer, department chair and
voice teacher; Robert Brown, chorus director, voice teacher.and
tonight's superb accompanist; Carin Cowell, acting and voice teacher;
Karen Hoy, voice teacher; Charlene Marchant, diction and voice teacher;
Michael Regan, chorus, coach and theory.
GSA Spring Scenes Concert
On May 7th at Chandler Hall we heard
the Spring Scenes Concert, featuring vocal music students at all
grade levels. The program opened with the Women's Ensemble directed
by Dr. Lee Tepley who also teaches music theory at GSA. Two madrigals
were followed by Rosemary, by Randall Thompson, a choral
cycle of three songs sung without pause: Chemical Analysis,
A Sad Song and A Nonsense Song. It was whimsical fun
with much emotional expression.
There followed scenes (accompanied by
Mr. Brown or Mr. Regan) from Don Giovanni, The Elixir
of Love, Hansel & Gretel, Carmen, The Magic Flute, Le Comte Ory
and The Merry Widow. The Ballad of Baby Doe by American
composer Douglas Moore, featured four first year students in Act
One's What do you intend to do, Augusta? Next season the
question will be answered when the GSA performs the fully staged
opera the second week in May.
It is such fun to watch these young people
grow and change year by year. What they lack in experience and polish
they make up for in energy and enthusiasm.
This season's opera was Henry Purcell's
Dido and Aeneas, fully staged and with the vocal student
body making up the chorus. Their singing was first rate and the
dancers, costumes and staging created a moving theatrical experience.
Other plans for the 2005-2006 season
include two Black Box Theater productions of a cabaret style jazz
evening and a Liederabend. See our Calendar for full details as
they become available.
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