Voice Chair Marlena Malas wants the traditional Sing-In to be a laid-back starting point for the Voice Program.
“I usually tell them just sing what makes them feel comfortable, and have a good time,” Malas said. “It’s not very formal.”
But this opening performance, at 2 p.m. Tuesday June 26 in Fletcher Music Hall, can put voice students under pressure because they want to impress. The 47 students have to pick something short, but they have to choose pieces that “highlight everything you want to highlight,” said baritone Andrew Adridge, a recent graduate of University of Toronto.
Adridge said he feels good and is looking forward to the Sing-In. He said picking a piece to sing is challenging because of the short amount of time performers are given.
“It’s fun, but it’s a pressure situation to begin with,” Adridge said.
Sarah Malinoski-Umberger, manager of the Schools of Performing and Visual Arts, said the Sing-in is the first chance voice students have to make an impression at Chautauqua.
“They really have to bring their A-game because the faculty’s looking at them for roles this summer for voice,” Malinoski-Umberger said. “It’s their first chance to sing in front of their peers, too, which is a pretty big deal. To get into these programs, it’s hard.”
Soprano Alexis Seminario, from Manhattan School of Music, said she is excited about the Sing-In, not only because she thinks it is a wonderful experience, but because she loves that she gets to pick what song to sing.
“It’s not often that we’ll be able to choose what we want to sing. A lot of it is presented to us, so then we learn it and then present it,” Seminario said. “What’s wonderful about the Sing-In is that you can choose what you want to sing and present it to people that you are going to be working with all summer.”
