Two Nazareth College music students place in premiere vocal competition

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Sarah Miller and Quinton Harvey in a recording studio at Nazareth College

ROCHESTER, NY (11/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College is pleased to announce that two students from its Department of Music have placed in the 2012 Central New York-Finger Lakes National Association of Teachers of Singing (CNYFL-NATS) Student Auditions.

Sarah Miller, soprano, a vocal performance major from the studio of Dr. Soo Yeon Kim, associate professor, won First Prize in the Junior Women category.

Quinton Harvey, baritone, vocal performance and music theory double major, from the studio of Dr. Mario Martinez, associate professor and coordinator of vocal studies, won Third Prize in the Sophomore Men category.

"The competition in these events is very intense. To have two of our students receive awards is significant for the Department of Music and Nazareth College," said Dr. James Douthit, Nazareth College Department of Music chair. "Sarah, Quinton, and the voice faculty worked extensively to prepare for this competition!"

Added Kim, "I am very proud of Sarah. She worked extremely hard to prepare for this competition. She is a talented and dedicated vocalist and I am thrilled for her."

Martinez had similar praise for Harvey. "I couldn't be prouder of Quinton. His talent, willingness to learn, and hard work will continue to help him succeed!"

The CNYFL-NATS Student Auditions is a regional vocal event in which voice students compete for monetary prizes and gain valuable performance experience and exposure. This year students from Ithaca College, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam, Syracuse University, SUNY Oswego, and Houghton College, among other programs in the region, participated. The event took place at Ithaca College.

Miller, who placed third in the 2010 competition and competed in 2011, was one of 11 finalists in 2012. She spent last summer preparing for the October event. "Dr. Kim assigned me a difficult repertoire over the summer that she knew would challenge me for the upcoming competition," she said. "When it was announced that I won, it didn't sink in at first. But once it did I was excited and proud!" Miller had to celebrate her accomplishment in the car, however, as she had an already scheduled evening performance for a vocal coach from The Metropolitan Opera. She also recently received an Honorable Mention (second-place equivalent) in the New York State Music Teachers Association Empire State Competition.

Harvey also participated in 2011 and entered this year hoping to place at least third. "I look at every performance as a learning experience so I gave this my all despite being nervous at first," he said. "I worked really hard to get here so I was happy to place, and I'm already looking forward to next year!"

Since the competition, Miller and Harvey have been selected to perform solo arias in the Nazareth College Department of Music's upcoming performance of Bach cantata with the Nazareth College Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Mark Zeigler, on Sunday, December 2 at 3 p.m. in Linehan Chapel. Admission to the event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

About Nazareth College

Nazareth is a coeducational, independent college on a suburban campus just outside Rochester, N.Y. The College challenges students to rise to their potential with a liberal arts and sciences foundation, professional programs, experiential learning, and an innovative curriculum that addresses the current and emerging needs of the world - ranging from economics to physical therapy to environmental science. With more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, a vibrant arts center and a variety of athletics, clubs and organizations, Nazareth prepares students to be successful professionals and engaged citizens. For more information, visit naz.edu.

About the Nazareth College Department of Music

The Department of Music integrates intensive studies in musicianship and performance with professional programs and the liberal arts. Students receive a unique experience that prepares them for careers in music and enables them to enjoy and share the art of music in a vareity of capacities. The Department of Music presents numerous recitals and performances that are free and open to the public. The Nazareth College Community Music Program offers year-round lessons and classes for aread students ages 4-80. For more information, visit naz.edu/music.

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