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Have You "MET" This Sinfonian?
Last March, Donovan Singletary, Xi Nu (Stetson) '05, became one of the youngest Grand Finals Winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Brother Singletary was one of five Finals Winners chosen from nine finalists who performed with the Met Orchestra.
The opportunity to perform in this venue was very memorable for him. "It was probably one of the best musical experiences I have ever had," Singletary recalled. "Being on stage was great. The orchestra was great. When you walk out [on stage], the house looks humongous."
Singletary started school at Stetson University looking to expand his vocal experience in the pop/R&B genre. He was slowly introduced to opera by his voice teacher, Dr. Craig Maddox, and came to realize that many pop vocalists have been exposed to classical training. By the end of his sophomore year, he began to be more accepting of the style and began incorporating it into his repertoire.
Singletary began looking into the National Council Auditions during his junior year. He considered dropping out because he was so young. It was only through the support of his teacher that Singletary entered the competition.
With a strong performance in Florida, he went on to the regional competition in Atlanta, Georgia. The regional competition brought many great musicians. After all regional vocalists finished, three performers |
Singletary displays his name on the billboard outside of the MET.
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were sent on to New York for the national audition. Singletary was the first person to be called. "I just couldn't believe it," he said.
After his graduation in December, he is going back to New York to join the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. The program provides specialized training in music, language and dramatic coaching from the MET's own artistic staff and invited master teachers. Already, he will be performing in "Figaro" at Mannes College of Music in New York.
With a long and bright future ahead of him, the spotlight is just beginning to shine on Brother Singletary. |
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