Wheaton voice students draw raves at R.I. song festival

Eight Wheaton students performed at the Song Festival of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing on March 1, and five of them came away with honors in the annual competition.

Alexander Grover '09 (left) won first place in the college division of the musical theatre competition, while Danielle Ricci '09 and Jordan Trundy '10 tied for second place in that division.

In the song and aria category, Elizabeth McKay '08 (below right) won first place in Division 3 (for college students with more than two years of study), while second place went to Alexander Grover '09. Katherine Anderson '10 took third place in Division 2 (for college students with less than two years of study).

Also performing at the festival, held at Rhode Island College, were Christopher MacDonald '10, Rachael Rees '11 and Samuel VonEhren '10.

Joanne Mouradjian, assistant professor of music in performance, lauded all the students for their intensive preparation and focus, saying that they gave some of their best performances at the festival. "I think it has brought them to a new level," she said. "They also received expert critiques from three judges, which can affirm the things they're doing well but also point out what they still need to work on."

Professor Ann Sears, director of music in performance, praised the students' fine showing at the festival. "It is fabulous that our students are doing so well in these competitive venues, and I'm astounded by the fact that only one of our competing students is a senior," she observed. "Next year is likely to be even more impressive."