Vocal Arts says “Welcome Back” to new and returning students, faculty, friends
By Damien Elwood
At the beginning of each fall semester, the Thornton Vocal Arts department welcomes students to the first Vocal Forum. Returning students sing for their peers and describe their experiences attending summer training programs all over the world.
“They’ve gotten a new shot of inspiration,” says Music Director for Opera, Brent McMunn. Ken Cazan, Thornton’s Chair of Vocal Arts and Resident Stage Director notes that “It lets the new people know how connected we are to the business and consequently how connected they are.”
The forum is an opportunity for students and faculty to renew existing relationships and forge new ones. Faculty and staff welcome the group and each new student gets a chance to introduce themselves. “We really make it clear to people that we really are a family, a supportive one,” notes McMunn. “Look to your left and look to your right,” Cazan says. “Those people on either side of you are your mentors… they are your guides. All of us will come together to create the best possible young artist we can.”
This year, the Thornton Vocal Arts Opera Program will produce Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito in the fall and Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in the spring in Bing Theatre. The first week of February a reading with orchestra of the new opera Frau Schindler will be presented in Newman Recital Hall.
