GSVC Live Updates 2022

GSVC Live Updates

Thanks you to everyone who participated in this year’s competition! Without you it wouldn’t be possible.

Sunday, May 22

Congratulations to all of our Composers, High School, Collegiate, Pre-Professional and International competitors who submitted performances for the 2022 George Shirley Competition. View our YouTube playlist of our 2022 Winners, or by clicking on each competitor’s name below:

Placement Prizes

Composer Division
Nikea Randolph, Graduate Student, University of Birmingham (UK)
First Prize, Composer Division: $1,000
(Sponsored by Marquita Lister)

Willie Cornish, Career Professional, Furman University
Second Prize, Composer Division: $500

Ronald Walton, Graduate Student, University of the District of Columbia
Third Prize, Composer Division: $250

High School Division

Ella Vaughn, Soprano, Walnut Hills High School
First Prize, High School Division: $1,000
(Sponsored by Zingerman’s Community of Businesses)

Sarah Wright, Soprano, Hartland High School
Second Prize, High School Division: $750
(Sponsored by the Meadows family in memory of Barbara Meadows)

Collegiate Division

Seth-Emmanuel Clarke, Bass-Baritone, Southern Methodist University
First Prize, College Division: $4,000
(Sponsored by Harold and Cherie Bridges Patrick in memory of Lynn Bridges)

Elizabeth Hanje, Soprano, Oberlin Conservatory
Second Prize, College Division: $2,500
(Sponsored by James and Bonnie Rose in honor of James and Carole Rose)

Maia Aramburu, Soprano, University of Michigan
Third Prize, College Division: $1,500
(Sponsored by The Patterson Foundation)

Pre-Professional Division

Tshilidzi Ndou, Baritone, Southern Methodist University
First Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $5,000
(Sponsored by Carrie and Magnus Wilson in memory of Wallace D. Brown and Janet Hutchenreuther)

Colleen Cole Beucher, Soprano, University of Michigan
Second Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $4,000
(Sponsored by Louise Toppin in memory of Edgar and Antionette Toppin)

Denique Isaac, Soprano, Indiana University
Third Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $3,000
(In honor of James and Carole Rose)

International Division

Shanice Skinner, Soprano, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague
International Division Prize: $500
(Sponsored by Videmus)

Lucy Fairmond, Soprano, Royal Northern College of Music
International Division Prize: $500
(Sponsored by Videmus)

Special Prizes

Jeanette Lee, Mezzo Soprano, Boston University
Mezzo Soprano Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Hilda Harris)

Tshilidzi Ndou, Baritone, Southern Methodist University
Spiritual Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Robert Sims)

Colleen Cole Beucher, Soprano, University of Michigan
Encouragement Prize, Spiritual: $250
(Sponsored by Robert Sims)

Sarah Rogers, Soprano, Boston University Opera Institute
Art Song Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Wills Patterson)

Pelagia Pamel, Mezzo-Soprano, University of Michigan
Encouragement Prize, Art Song: $500
(Sponsored by Willis Patterson)

Colleen Cole Beucher, Soprano, University of Michigan
Soprano Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Myra Merritt-Grant)

Tyrese Byrd, Tenor, University of Michigan
Tenor Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Carrie Wilson in honor of George Shirley)

Seth-Emmanuel Clarke, Bass-Baritone, Southern Methodist University
Baritone Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by James and Bonnie Rose in honor of Christal Rose)

Colleen Cole Beucher, Soprano, University of Michigan
Operatic Aria Prize: $1,000
(Sponsored by Patricia Miller)

Victoria Ellington, Soprano, University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music
Women Composers Prize: $500
(Sponsored by Charsie R. Sawyer)

Tshilidzi Ndou, Baritone, Southern Methodist University
Contemporary Art Song Prize: $500
(Sponsored by Kenneth Overton)

Saturday, May 21

Finals Concert, 7:30pm
Britton Hall
University of Michigan – School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Finalists

Hearing you all perform and share your musicality with us has been inspiring, heart-warming, and exciting. The level of talent we have been graced with this year was exceptional; thank you all so much for your bravery, your artistry, and your joy in bringing the music of African American and African Diasporic composers to the center stage.

We are thrilled to announce the prize winners of this years George Shirley Vocal Competition. Please join us this evening at 7:30pm for the winners concert, live in Britton recital hall and streamed here: https://georgeshirleycompetition.org/gsvc-live-updates/

Singers who are listed, your repertoire for the winners concert is next to your name. If you are given a choice, please choose one of the pieces listed OR if it says “your choice” please choose a piece from the repertoire you have sung today. The awards will be announced at tonight’s concert!

Composers

• Nikea Randolph
• Ronald Walton
• Willie Cornish

High School

• Ella Vaughn – O What a Beautiful City
• Sarah Wright – My Lord What a Morning

College

• Elizabeth Hanje – Love Let the Wind Cry
• Maia Aramburu – Gue gue solingaie
• Pelagia Pamel – Jungle Flower
• Seth-Emmanuel Clarke – The Crucifixion OR Princess Magogo

Pre-Professional

• Colleen Beucher – Golden Days
• Denique Isaac – Your choice
• Jeanette Lee – Your choice
• Sarah Roger – Create in Me
• Tshilidzi Ndou – Ride on King Jesus OR Wamuhle Mzansi
• Tyrese Byrd – Your choice
• Victoria Ellington – Sympathy OR Love Let the Wind Cry

Semi-finalists 

We are pleased to announce the round 2 singers for the collegiate and pre-professional competitions. The start time for our round 2 competitions has been changed to 3:00pm EST. Although your name may not appear on this list, you are still under consideration for the special prizes, which will be announced during the final winners announcement. In addition, the High School Division competitors will advance to the Finals.

Collegiate:

• Pelagia Pamel
• Jack Morin
• Aldo Pando Gerard
• Maia Aramburu
• Tyrique McNeal
• Elizabeth Hange
• Nyla Thomas
• Seth-Emmanuel Clarke
• Dalia Marquez

Pre-Professional:

• Tyrese Byrd
• Colleen Beucher
• Victoria Ellington
• Denique Isaac
• Brea Marshall
• Daysha Togawa
• Sarah Rogers
• Tshilidzi Ndou

Audition Room Schedule

• High School Division in Hankinson Hall
  Kathryn Goodson, pianist
• Collegiate Division in McIntosh Hall
  Taylor Flowers, pianist
• Pre-professional Division in Britton Hall
  Josh Marzans, pianist
• International Division in Watkins Hall
• Composers Division in Watkins Hall
  Kathryn Goodson, pianist

Focus Groups with Dr. Caroline Helton and Samantha Williams

• Singing Justice Focus groups, 1374 and 1378
  Sign up for a time slot: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm (Email Caroline Helton, chelton@umich.edu or sign-up in-person to participate)

Masterclass Assignments

Pre-professional Masterclass in Britton Hall (4:30-6pm)
Martin Katz, clinician, Josh Marzan, piano

Brea Marshall – Unmindful of the Roses by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Jeanette Lee I Want to Die While You Love Me by Undine Smith Moore
Tshilidzi Ndou  – Genius Child by Robert Owens
Victoria Ellington – Du Tendre Amour L’amant Anonyme by Joseph Bologne

Alternates:
Daisha Togawa – I Want to Die While You Love Me, Rosephanye Powell:
Sarah Rogers Minguillo by Samuel Coleridge Taylor

College Masterclass in McIntosh Hall (on Sunday, May 22 @ 11am-12:30pm)
Dr. Lenora Green-Turner, clinician
Taylor Flowers, pianist

Dominique Cooper. Minstrel Man by Margaret Bonds
Jack Morin – Dawn’s Awakening by Florence Price
Nyla Thomas – Tears by BE Boykin
Alexa Rahman – Flying by H. Leslie Adams
Karen Jane Ludwig – Song to the Dark Virgin by Florence Price
Alternate: Dalia Marquez – Soliloquy by John W. Work

High School Masterclass in Hankinson Hall (11:30am -12:30pm)
Nicole Sonbert and Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers, clinicians
Kathryn Goodson, pianist

Ella Vaughn – Night by Florence Price
Sarah Wright – Song To The Dark Virgin by Florence Price

The 2022 George Shirley Vocal Competition is finally here! The competition will open with a welcome concert that will be live streamed. We will place the feed on this page below the program information. If you won’t be joining us in person, tune in through the live feed below. We will be live at 7:00pm! See you then!

Friday, May 20

Welcome Concert, 7:00 – 8:30pm
McIntosh Hall
University of Michigan – School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Resources from tonight’s Concert

1. Opera Unique, a company started by Gedeane Graham. (linked instagram page, with website coming)
2. Resources from Dr. Naomi André
   Professor in the Departments of Afroamerican and African Studies,
   Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Residential College
   • Link to a video of the First Symposium (October 11, 2021)
     This program is a basic introduction to Anthony Davis, Malcolm X, the X opera, a performance and analysis of Ella’s “Come with Me, Child”
   • Link to a video of the Second Symposium (February 14, 2022)
     This program features a performance and discussion with Davóne Tines–the 21-22 Detroit Opera Artist-in Residence who also will sing the title role of Malcolm X.
   • Link to the Research Guide
   • The African Diaspora Music Project 
   • The Black Opera Research Network [BORN] 
   • Lift Every Voice and Sing: Dr. Louise Toppin and Dr. Naomi André were involved with helping move forward House Resolution 301 Hearing “Examining the History and Importance of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’” to become a National Hymn (not in conflict with the national anthem). LT wrote a statement and I was part of the congressional hearing. The House Resolution was sponsored by Congressman James E. Clyburn (House Majority Whip) for the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
3. Presentation on Singing Justice Grant of the Humanities Collaboratory with Dr. Caroline Helton and Samantha Williams
   Participate and be apart of their research by signing up for focus group discussion. Sign up for a time slot: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm tomorrow, May 21. Email Caroline Helton, chelton@umich.edu to participate.