It is very exciting to announce that I have been selected as a semi-finalist in this prestigious national competition! The materials I submitted were for the Professional (most competitive category) Opera division were: Caro Nome, Verdi's Rigoletto, with Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre Orchestra Kiss Me Again, Mlle. Modiste, Victor Herbert Now that the competition has been narrowed down to the following semi-finalists, now there is another round of judging that happens, and finalists/top prize winners will be announced after that round. Cheers! Wish me luck! (It is so weird to not have to "do" anything for this competition, since it is judged off of the same recordings...you just have to wait! I like it! Haha) I DO wish, ( looking back at my application) that I had included the "BELL SONG" recording from my Carnegie Hall performance...but oh well! Here is the official announcement from The American Prize's blog: ( I copied and pasted the text-- But you may go to the blog to see the other lists in the other categories of semi-finalists.) The names that I have bolded are friends/ women that I have met before along the way. Lovely ladies, all, I wish them the best! : ) ---------------------------------------------------- VOCAL semi-finalists, 2015 (WOMEN—OPERA: professional division) announced The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST women in opera for 2015 in the professional division. Congratulations! To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebookpage or follow us on Twitter#AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first. The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—professional opera division (women) Betsy Archer Munster IN Elizabeth Baldwin Sylvania OH Ashlee Bickley Ft.Wayne IN Adelaide Boedecker Sarasota FL Samantha Britt New York NY Joanie Brittingham New York NY Gwendolyn Brown Chicago IL Alice Burton Chicago IL Becca Conviser New York NY Kelly Curtin Alexandria VA Joan Marie Dauber Chicago IL Rosa D'Imperio New York NY Annie Gill Baltimore MD Kristin Gornstein Brooklyn NY Dena Holland Hawley PA Jeni Houser Chicago IL Marci Jackson Indianapolis IN Jodi Karem Brooklyn NY Yelka Milanova Flushing NY Jessica Elizabeth Mirshak Sherman Oaks CA Amy Mitchell Hopkinton NH Aundi Marie Moore Bowie MD Lisa Newill-Smith Berlin Germany Benedetta Orsi New York NY Rebecca Rapoport-Cole Somerville MA Anne Slovin Chicago IL *Rachel Sparrow Evanston IL You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter:https://twitter.com/americanprize "
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Here is something to get you in the Patriotic Mood~ This was performed one year ago.
Intro is about the meaning and importance of the words of this beloved Anthem, and recognizes the 70 + veterans that were present in that hall that day. (Singing starts at 2:16 if you would like to skip intro). I will never forget the most reverent standing ovation I have ever experienced from an audience, which occurred after this piece. It was in the way that the entire audience STOOD all at once and immediately, but no whooping or hollering, just tears and smiles---to acknowledge the veterans and patriotism we all felt in that room at that moment. Pretty special memory. Happy Independence Day everyone- Be safe this weekend of parades and fireworks and remember what it is all about! I cannot believe it has been a month since I last posted- June literally whizzed past me! ~Closing of Big Fish It was bittersweet to say 'see ya later' to this BEAUTIFUL and ASTOUNDING cast. After 7 weeks together..and six shows a week we became a family. They truly are some of the best kind of people and performers that I have ever had privilege of sharing the stage with. Here are a few pics from the closing weekend: ~Singing for Friends and Family~ Happy Birthday to 3 very special people! Party #1. Happy 50th Birthday Ravi! At our first Neighborhood party of the summer in Evanston, I was nudged into jumping in with the band to sing one for Ravi Baichwal's 50th B-day party. (complete with canine admirer)--- "Besame Mucho" never felt so good! Pulled up the words on my cell phone, and jammed away with these guys... : ) The Baichwal family is our family, I sing for free for these folks. Party #2. Happy 99th Birthday Nannee!!! I cannot believe the amazing things my amazing grandmother has seen and been through in her just-shy-of-a-century lifetime. I go to visit her in Ashland City, TN (outside of Nashville) as often as my schedule allows. I usually sing for her and the residents at her senior home every day that I can while I am there. They love folk songs, hymns, and of course the Great American Songbook that I always bring along. This time was special, my brothers,and sisters and Family were all able to sing to her together this time. We had a Sampson family reunion there to celebrate her 99th birthday. The emotion in the room as my siblings and I sang was so thick you could have cut the air with a knife. We love Nannee. Ethel Kurtz is the fiestiest, sassiest, & smartest southern belle ever known to Nashville. Party #3. Happy 29th Trent!! Last but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to my dear husband, Trent Sparrow. We spent the last 10 days in Idaho-- hanging out with the Sparrow clan and breathing some of the freshest air, viewing some of the best sunsets our sky has to offer...fishing, hiking, ATV-riding, and campfires abound in beautiful rugged Idaho. Also spent one morning arranging another solo a capella hymn "I Stand All Amazed" to add to my recording/transcription project. Was asked to sing it at Trent's brother's church on Sunday while we were there. Took this little snapshot along the way. Just looking at this vista would make ANYONE burst into song. The best performances are the ones where loved ones are present. These are the ones that truly matter.
It was such an honor last evening to perform this beautiful piece for soprano and chamber ensemble for the renowned composer himself! As we honored Esa- Pekka Salonen for winning the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music's Nemmer's Prize for Composition. This concert paid tribute to him and I am so happy to have been a part of it! Thanks to all of my friends who came to see it! And if you missed it... Here's some pictures, (Thank you Liz Hansen!) and the finished video recording of the performance below! Enjoy!
I am unbelievably happy and grateful to Donald Nally for recommending me to perform this fantastic work! And to Ben Bolter, thank you for being amazing-- you are infallible. Esa-Pekka Salonen it was an honor to sing for you and to meet you~thank you for writing such a fantastic piece, it was a journey and an adventure!
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SHARING INSTRUCTIONS
-I would so appreciate any shares, or word of mouth help in spreading the word about this-
(we only have a few short weeks to gather the sponsors)
The document here is downloadable as either a pdf (above) or jpg file type (below). A pdf file is most easily attached to an email, while with a jpg file you can insert it directly into an email message, and attach it to the email as well. jpg is also easily uploaded to facebook to share or via twitter.
OR you can simply copy & share this link: http://www.rachelsparrow.com/blog/seeking-sponsor-for-summer-symphonic-soiree-amazing-tax-deductible-advertising-opportunity
If you do share it-- please let me know if I can followup for you,
or if I can help you in anyway, or just let me know that you shared,
either in a comment here, or by contacting me via email or thru my contact form here.
I would love to know who is being so awesome and helping me spread the word.
The best shares are personal invitations.
Thank you so much for your support!
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I have been experimenting and LOVING pushing the envelope singing various genres. I feel like the nonsense about having to pick just one type of music that you are allowed to specialize in is just that: nonsense. Musical Theater has been calling my name, and here we go! (Don't worry... I still love opera.)
Make your plans to come see the show! Playing May 7th-June 7th, 6 shows a week, 30 mins south of the Chicago Loop.
- Rachel Sparrow
Author
Rachel Sparrow is a professional singer, musician,(violin, piano, ukulele) actor, teacher, arranger, writer, and most importantly: a wife and a mommy of two littles. She loves to help parents make everyday life musical with their kids as well as share backstage stories, and performance experiences here. She earned her Master's degree in Voice Performance from Northwestern University, and also holds two Bachelor's degrees in Voice, and Music Education (certified to teach k-12 vocal & instrumental music) from Idaho State University. She is also a certified Music Together Director (music class for birth-5 yrs). See about Rachel.
"Think Outside Your Box" means 3 things:
1. Be Selfless - think beyond your own "box". (and for singers, there's more to life than your voice box!) You're capable of helping and healing others.
2. Feel Empowered to bust out of the proverbial
"box" made of societally-induced-parameters.
3. Be Bold. Innovate. Stretch yourself. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.
"THINK
OUTSIDE
YOUR
BOX"
#ThinkOutsideYourBox
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