Posted on 10/08/2015 9:32:14 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Music has the ability to take you places; to move you and inspire you. For participants in the Wisconsin District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, it is more than an opportunity to showcase their pipes; it can be an opportunity to gain attention within the ever-competitive singing arena.
The Wisconsin District auditions co-director, Kathy Pyeatt, explained that the Wisconsin auditions are just the first step in the nationwide audition process.
"The National Council started over 60 years ago as an offshoot of the Metropolitan Opera (in New York) to find talent for them," she said. Shortly thereafter, the council began holding nationwide auditions to find talent from around the country. The council now has over 35 districts in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. There are four levels of auditions: the local, the regional, and the semi-finals and finals both held in New York City.
The local auditions for the Wisconsin district are held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield and are open to any singer who wishes to try out. For their audition, participants are required to perform five arias in their original language and key, and pay a $35 entry fee. This year's auditions will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17.
During the audition, judges are looking for a few important things, but mainly, "is this a career voice?" said Pyeatt.
"They are looking for a career voice that will carry over the orchestra and a house for 3,000 people," she said.
The auditioned candidate is also judged, to a lesser degree, on their interpretation of the music and their stage performance.
Local level judges can pick any number of contestants to proceed to the next level — the regional audition — but usually the number is around three to five singers.
Even for those who don't make it past the initial audition, the experience is still a win.
"I personally feel that the arts are a large reason of why people do what they do," said Pyeatt. "It's an important part of their life. Music or dance or any other art brings out emotions in people that make them feel more human."
For the past 10 years, the Wisconsin district has been unique in that it grants singers $15,000 worth of monetary prizes. Judges determine how the prize money is divided; some receive an award for their talent, others receive an award to encourage them to continue singing. Pyeatt said that the prize money is contributed by local residents.
"We have so many philanthropic people in the area that we are fortunate to live where we do. We're very appreciate of their support," she added.
Members of the community are invited to listen to the auditions. There is no cost to attend.
Last year, Sheboygan resident and current University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student Kathryn Henry made it all the way to the final auditions and was one of nine finalists out of over 1,500 who auditioned.
At only 22, Henry was one of the youngest singers to participate. Throughout her series of auditions, she recalls having had numerous friends supporting her, even though some were auditioning alongside her. From family to professors, everyone was supportive.
"That was really nice, as a young singer, to be supported like that," said Henry. The support became more important as she progressed; she recalls her anxiety growing with each round she made it through.
Since making it to the finals, Henry has made many connections with opera houses nationwide.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has asked her to perform a solo piece during one of their performances.
On Oct. 16, the night before this year's auditions, Henry will be performing a free concert to thank the sponsors of the Wisconsin auditions.
Her song selections are all about night and dreams as "auditing (for the Metropolitan Opera) was a dream of mine."
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Sharon Lynne Wilson center in the Dawes Theatre.
Auditions for young singers to be held; free concert in Brookfield
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I glimpsed this process once, and actually sang in regional opera as a baritone. It can be tough, but if you’ve got the voice and the skills, you can really go places. I knew several individuals who hit the big time.
Real basses are very much in demand.
These days though, I’m content to rehearse and sing in my church choir, which fits well with perpetual discoveries in spirituality.
“In excelsis Deo.”
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