MEET THE ARTIST
Grades 3 – 6
How many opera singers did you get to know when you were a kid? (Or even now?) Did you ever wonder how opera singers get their start? What their training is like? What kind of music they like to listen to? What kind of people they are?
Bill McMurray, Lyric's Meet the Artist for 2008
Photo by Dan RestKids (and teachers) who attend the Meet the Artist program usually get a lot of surprises. Like the story of the young baritone who was "discovered" by a high school music teacher who overheard him singing Blue Moon in the locker room shower--in the public housing projects of Columbus. Or the young soprano who didn't get that big part at the beginning of her career but whose faith in herself and her dreams led her to greater and greater successes. You'll hear opera music. You might also hear rap, gospel, Broadway show tunes, or almost any other kind of music you wouldn't expect from a typical opera singer.
But that's what most people take away with them after a Meet the Artist performance: there is no such thing as a typical opera singer. And that you can do almost anything if you pursue your talents and believe in yourself.
Meet the Artist is a 45-minute assembly program which is intended to accommodate up to three grade levels at once. It consists of a young emerging professional opera singer telling his or her story and performing, with piano accompaniment, a variety of music. It's intimate, fun, provides a lot of opportunity for audience participation, and is guaranteed to change the way kids think about opera and themselves!
Baritone William McMurray will be the featured singer for Meet the Artist in January/February of 2008 with his program "My Journey Through Song." This program features dynamic songs and arias of African-American significance. An ideal program for Black History Month! In previous seasons, Anisha McFarland inspired thousands of young people with her program Believe, and Kirk Walker received national recognition for his Hangin' with Mr. Walker. 2002 featured two sopranos new to the program: Christina Villaverde ("Let Me Sing You a Story"), and Alicia Berneche ("From Kokomo to Grand Opera"). In the spring of 2005, Lyle Nicholson presented a program featuring the history of African-American song.
How to Apply for Meet the Artist for 2007/2008:
Information about all our programs for students is sent to Chicago area schools and individual teachers on our mailing list in mid-August. Call (312) 827-5912 for more information. Programs will be scheduled in late January and early February of 2008.There is no charge or required payment for this program, however, if it is possible for your school to do so, donations are gratefully accepted. (Suggested donation: $150 per performance.) Your school's ability to make a donation does not in any way affect the selection process. Please do not send donations until after your school has been selected for the program.
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Meet the Artist programs are made possible by generous and deeply appreciated contributions from the Polk Bros. Foundation.
Meet the Artist is produced by the The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.
