Orpheus Vocal Competition Finale Concert

Date: 3/5/2017
Time: 3:00 PM

1439 Faulkinberry Dr.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

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Event Description: On Sunday, March 5, the general public will have the outstanding opportunity to hear some of the country’s finest young vocal talent (ages 19 to 30) compete for top cash awards totaling more than $19,000. The event is the Orpheus Finale Concert, which is the culmination of a weekend of exciting performances by these talented vocalists. Many of the top colleges, universities, and conservatories will be represented. For over twenty years, the Orpheus Competition has been a springboard for a number of previous winners who have gone on to have very successful careers, including performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other operas and venues throughout the United States and abroad. Under the sponsorship of the Middle Tennessee Choral Society and MTSU School of Music, the Orpheus Competition has helped put Murfreesboro on the musical map. It is one of the most highly acclaimed competitions of its kind in the United States. Dr. Raphael Bundage, director of choral activities at the MTSU School of Music and artistic director of the Orpheus competition, along with Kay Garrison, general manager of the Choral Society, have been instrumental in making this an outstanding musical event. Out of 101 applications received this year for the Student and Young Artist Categories, 74 applicants from 22 states have been invited to compete. Following their arrival in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 3, the competitors will be welcomed, registered, and assigned a professional accompanist with whom they will rehearse. That evening, they will be treated to a dinner sponsored by the Choral Society and hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Warren McPherson. On Saturday each singer will perform several selections for a panel of distinguished judges for the right to take part in the finalists concert on Sunday. The judges, who represent some of the top vocal teachers and performers, are John Kramer of East Carolina University School of Music, Ted Wylie of Belmont University School of Music, Anna Young of the Nashville Opera, Dr. Christine Isley-Farmer of MTSU School of Music, and Mark Whatley of Belmont University School of Music. In addition to the Student and Young Artist category, there will be a High School division with ten talented young singers performing in hopes of winning cash awards. The Orpheus Finale Concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m. in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU’s Wright Music Building. The awarding of the competition prizes will conclude the performances of the finalists. Tickets will be available online at mtchoralsociety.org as well as at the door one hour prior to the concert and are $15 for general admission, $12.50 for senior citizens, and $10 for ages 12 and under. MTSU faculty, staff, and students will be admitted free with valid ID. For more information about the competition, contact the MTSU School of Music at 615-898-2493 or the Choral Society general manager Kay Garrison, at 615-893-6527.


Directions:
Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU's Wright Music Building

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