The Bucks County Choral Society has announced the winners of its Voices of the Future Vocal Competition and Master class.
Four finalists were onstage at the James-Lorah Memorial Home in Doylestown on March 30. Each participant performed a classical piece and a selection from musical theater.
Composers featured included Mozart, Débussy and Copland. Musical theater selections were from “West Side Story,” “The Music Man,” “Les Misérables” and “Phantom of the Opera.”
After each singer performed, master clinician Paul Spencer Adkins provided 20-minute coaching sessions tailored to each of them. It was then up to Adkins, a well-known opera singer and vocal coach at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, to determine who would receive top honors and a $1,000 prize.
First place was awarded to Central Bucks South junior Olivia Giampolo. The three remaining finalists were each awarded $500. They were Central Bucks East junior Helena Badiali, Central Bucks East junior Audrey Gaona and Neshaminy senior Cameron Krauss. All finalists are eligible to appear with the Choral Society as soloists next year.
One of the contestants noted that the highlight of the competition was the opportunity to interact with Adkins. Voices of the Future is the brainchild of BCCS Artistic Director Thomas Lloyd to provide funding for students who are serious about “vocal singing.” The competition was organized and presented by Assistant Conductor Susan Johnson and has been underwritten by Bob and Alice Vernon.
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