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June 21, 2007
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Singing for his scholarship With high school commencements over, this year?s graduating seniors hoping to study music (classical or otherwise) are on their own, at least until college starts in the fall. For some, however, summer can be a turning point for their musical career. For a young performer, the right summer program and getting to know the right people can make all the difference. That?s undoubtedly on the mind of Max McGrath, 18, a recent graduate of Manchester?s Memorial High School. Max, a tenor, has been studying voice for a couple of years with Janice Edwards, one of the area?s premier teachers. With Janice?s encouragement, Max plans to continue his studies. Though he?s not sure which college he?ll attend, more pressing matters are at hand. This summer, he has an opportunity to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, a prestigious six-week program in Lenox, Mass., the off-season home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. What happened was last year, Edwards entered McGrath in the Boston competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, which brought him to the attention of Phyllis Hoffman, who heads the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. And so Max was invited to participate in a great program ? one with the potential to get him in front of people who can help him with his singing and also lead him to other opportunities down the road. This is how it happens, folks. Tomorrow?s great singers have to come from somewhere. It wasn?t long ago that Patricia Racette, one of the hottest superstar sopranos at New York?s Metropolitan Opera, was roaming the halls of Manchester West High School. (Full disclosure: I know about the Boston University Tanglewood Institute because back in high school, I applied for it in composition but didn?t make the cut. However, a classmate of mine got in the next year and wound up hobnobbing with the likes of Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland! No, of course I wasn?t jealous. I just became an English major.) One thing about the Boston University Tanglewood Institute is that it costs money ? specifically, $5,000. Fortunately, Max has been awarded a scholarship to cover half the amount, but that still leaves quite a bit left. To fill in the gap, forget bake sales or holding a car wash. Max plans to raise the dough by doing what he does best ? singing, not for his supper, but for his scholarship. To that end, he?s holding a recital on Tuesday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at Philharmonic Hall, 83 Hanover St., Manchester. On the program? Classical and musical theater repertoire to demonstrate Max?s diversity as a performer and artist. Accompanist is Anna Dwyer, another of Janice?s vocal students who?s also a talented pianist. Any donations will go toward Max?s Tanglewood tuition. Plus, you?ll get to hear some fine singing from one of the area?s up-and-coming vocalists. What?s not to like?. |
6/14/2007 Very easy on the ears 6/7/2007 Old art form, new music
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