Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University senior Andrew Miller, a vocal performance major from Dalworthington Gardens, Texas, received an encouragement award and $200 at the recent Arkansas district Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Little Rock. He was one of six singers honored at the auditions.

The competition was held at Stella Boyle Smith auditorium on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. It featured 20 singers from Arkansas, Florida, Ohio, Louisiana, New York and Texas ranging from 20 to 30 years of age. Singers from throughout the nation may enter any district's auditions provided they meet the requirements set forth by the Met.

Miller presented “Look through the port comes the moonshine astray” from Billy Budd by Benjamin Britten and “Avant de quitter ces lieux” from Charles Gounod’s Faust. He was accompanied by OBU staff accompanist Phyllis Walker and is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music and chair of the department of applied music.

Judges for the competition included Sunny Joy Langton, singing teacher and international concert artist from Northwestern University; Roger Pines, dramaturg at Lyric Opera of Chicago; and John Wustman, distinguished vocal coach-accompanist who has accompanied such opera greats as Luciano Pavarotti, Birgit Nilsson, Mirella Freni and Renata Scotto.

In addition to Miller, two other OBU students and one OBU adjunct voice faculty member participated in the auditions.

Mandi Harper, OBU adjunct instructor of voice, presented "O luce di quest'anima" from Linda di Chamounix by Donizetti and "Piangero la sorte mia" from Giulio Cesare by Handel. Harper is a previous Arkansas district winner and regional finalist.

Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., presented "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" from Bizet's Carmen and "O luce di quest'anima". Hipp is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, OBU professor of music.

Grace Johnson, a junior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, presented "Una voce poco fa" from Rossini's Barber of Seville as well as "Elle a fui, la touterelle" from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann. Johnson is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest. Hipp and Johnson were also accompanied by Phyllis Walker.

As part of the educational emphasis of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions board of directors, each participating singer received the opportunity to meet with the individual judges to receive feedback on their audition.