Central Michigan University

A standout performance: CMU alumnus wins prestigious vocal award

Friday, December 21, 2007

Topics in this story: Arts and entertainment, Awards, People

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Media Contact(s):

Lindsay Allen
989-774-7327

Program Contact(s):

Randi L'Hommedieu
989-774-3281

Scott Bearden
scott@bearden.com

With his booming voice and commanding vocal routine, a Central Michigan University School of Music alumnus received top honors in Opera New York's esteemed baritone competition.

Baritone Scott Bearden, a 1995 CMU graduate, was the first-place winner in Opera New York's second annual Chester Ludgin Memorial American Verdi Baritone Competition in November. The national vocal competition, created in memory of Ludgin, Opera New York's co-founder and artistic adviser, attracted more than 60 applicants to compete for the $5,000 prize.

Bearden and nine other vocalists competed in the finals for the award, performing for a judging panel that included tenor Placido Domingo, mezzo-soprano Mignon Dunn, conductors Julius Rudel and Eugene Kohn, and artist representative Ken Benson of Columbia Artist Management International.

In the finals, Bearden sang the aria "Eri tu" from the opera "Un Ballo in Maschera;" in addition, Domingo asked him to sing "Nemico della patria" from the opera "Andrea Chenier."

"It was a thrill to meet Mr. Domingo, and he had a rather emotional reaction to my performance, which was especially gratifying," said Bearden. "Certainly my performance was the result of many years of study and hard work, which in large part began at Central Michigan. My first voice teacher there, retired professor Jeffrey Foote, has played a large part in my life and continues to be one of my closest friends. My education at CMU has been the very basis of my musical career."

The American Verdi Baritone Competition is "one of the big prizes in vocal music," according to CMU School of Music Director Randi L'Hommedieu.

"Scott's career has been skyrocketing, and he's certainly an alum of which we can all be very, very proud," said L'Hommedieu.

Bearden's escalating career has taken him to operas and concerts around the world, including performances in Opera San Jose's production of 'The Barber of Seville," the Mississippi Opera's production of "La traviata," and "Il tabarro" in Tel Aviv, Israel. He recently released his solo recording "A Piece of Art."

He has returned to Opera San Jose for its 2007-08 season to perform the title role in "Rigoletto." Bearden also will join the other American Verdi Baritone Competition winners to perform in the Winners Concert March 16 at New York City's Merkin Hall.

"The award is intended to be a one-time win and a springboard to further a career, and certainly it is an amazing honor and a bit of a validation for my efforts," Bearden said of his victory in the competition, which also earned him auditions with the Los Angeles Opera and Washington National Opera.

For more information about Opera New York and the Chester Ludgin Memorial American Verdi Baritone Competition, visit http://www.operany.com.