Meet The Artistic Director and Founder of Voccalis International Singing Repertory Company...
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Meet The Artistic Director and Founder of Voccalis International Singing Repertory Company Celebrated Soprano, Lillian Roberts has travelled and performed
Meet The Artistic Director and Founder of Voccalis
International Singing Repertory Company Celebrated Soprano, Lillian
Roberts has travelled and performed throughout the US and Europe.
Her notable performances include a debut in the title role of Aida
with Hudson Opera Theater, and Marguerite from Gounods Faust with
the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra while in residency at the
prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts. The highlight of the performance
for me involved Aida, the lead soprano Lillian Roberts, singing a
kind of conversation with the oboist...the hauntingly beautiful O
Patria Mia. TOM KANE, The River ReporterTOM KANE, The River
Reporter Additionally, she has performed at Chautauqua Opera, and
Union Avenue Opera. Her 3 rd tour with A.S.E. consisted of a solo
debut performance at the Santander Festival Internacional which was
broadcast on the Spanish National Radio in front of the King and
Queen of Spain. Other solo guest performances include: Carson City
Symphony, and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. Awards; 1 st Place,
Meistersinger Competition (Austria), Marian Anderson Classical
Artist Prize at Oprah Winfrey's Marian Anderson Humanitarian Award
Ceremony, Metropolitan Opera District and Regional Awards, and the
Mario Lanza Scholarship Competition. Lillian is well-known for her
moving and emotional KET/PBS performance of Song To The Moon.
Lillian Roberts, Lirico-Spinto Soprano
Slide 3
Voccalis International Singing Repertory Company Voccalis,
Tessitura, and Vocal Pops USA are designed to aid the emerging and
professional artists through performances and through the
generation of relationships between artists, schools, and the
community. Founded and directed by Artistic Director Lillian
Roberts, an internationally renowned dramatic soprano, and General
Director Renato N. Estacio, the former director of marketing for
the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Voccalis is designed to be a nonprofit
focused on the funding of the arts through educational outreach and
performances and is actively seeking this status. As a nonprofit
based in the arts, Voccalis is in need of gracious benefactors in
order to maintain its operation and performances. We are delighted
in the response and interest generated by this company and would
readily answer any inquiries you may have regarding this
organization and its season.
Slide 4
International Singing Repertory Company Presents Spirituals:
The Art of African American Song with Tessitura Tessitura is a
resident vocal ensemble of Voccalis, International Singing
Repertory Company. This touring ensemble is comprised of
professional, classically trained soloists who perform a variety of
musical styles from Opera to Jazz. Spirituals: The Art of African
American Song illustrates the diverse capabilities of the ensemble
and the healing impact music has on the world. The deep meaning of
life can be ascertained through human struggle, which is
illustrated in the African American Spiritual; also known as the
soul of American History.
Slide 5
Black History Outreach Proposal for Schools Voccalis
International Singing Repertory Company Presents Spirituals: The
Art of African American Song with
Slide 6
The following slide presentation provides an overview of a 45
minute Black History Concert on the evolution of Spiritual Art
Songs by African American Composers. These beautiful, heartfelt
songs will expose students to a vital part of American History by
diverse and professionally trained operatic voices, and introduce
them to a unique collaboration between singers, dancers, piano, and
drums through both solo and ensemble repertoire. Spirituals are
uplifting and soulful. They provided hope and deliverance to
oppressed African American slaves and also served as a method of
escape to freedom.
Slide 7
A brief overview of How the Spiritual became an Art Song
African American Composer, H.T. Burleigh (1866-1949), was a
composer, arranger, and professional singer who wrote over 300
songs. He was one of the first African American composers to
develop the idea of American music and was instrumental in
providing African American Art songs to classically-trained artists
by introducing them to his own unique arrangements of traditional
spirituals. In fact, Burleigh introduced the famous Czech composer,
Antonin Dvok (1841-1904), to Spirituals while he served as his
apprentice. Dvok believed the Spiritual was the only American music
and incorporated them into his New World Symphony in 1893. This was
the first time in history that Negro music was used as a major
theme. Although he began composing songs in 1890, he became one of
Americas best known composers of American art song in 1910. During
this time, he also became an editor for Italian music publisher, G.
Ricordi. Burleigh is mostly known for his arrangement of Deep
River. However, he also wrote numerous songs and song cycles for
piano and orchestra. Additionally, his song arrangements became so
popular during the 1910s and 1920s, that every major recitalist in
the US made sure to program his music.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Burleigh) Other African
American composers produced arrangements of spirituals for small
ensembles, chorus, and solo voices as well as arrangements with
piano and orchestra. Our concert will feature some of these
arrangements by incorporating drums and dancers to add to the
overall celebration of African American Spirituals.
Slide 8
School Outreach Voccalis International Singing Repertory
Company is dedicated to performing a variety of music genres
including spirituals and exposing schools and the community at
large to African American Music. This 45 minute Show will
incorporate 8-12 singers; 1 pianist; and 1 djembe drum with
Dancers. Each soloist will perform 1 solo in addition to exciting
ensemble pieces by Moses Hogan, Hal Johnson, Undine Smith Moore,
Margaret Bonds, and more. Tessitura will thrill your students with
their classically trained sound which will further emphasize the
importance of utilizing good vocal technique and performance
skills. In addition, the students will be introduced to the origin
of African American Art Song and its impact on Classical Music.
This concert will include both ensemble and solo repertoire by
Moses Hogan, Mark Hayes, Margaret Bonds, Undine Smith Moore, Hal
Johnson, and more...
Slide 9
Tentative Spirituals Program Voccalis International Singing
Repertory Company Presents Spirituals: The Art of African American
Song with Tessitura Program: Introduction Elijah Rock Jester
Hairston Deep RiverH.T. Burleigh City Called HeavenE. Boatner Hold
Out Your LightMoses Hogan I Wanna Be ReadyArr. J. Miller Soon And
Very SoonArr. A Crouch Didnt My Lordfrom Spirit SuiteArr. Mark
Hayes Every Time I feel the SpiritArr. H.T. Burleigh Total
PraiseArr. R. Smallwood How Great Thou ArtArr. Herbert Thames
AmenR. De Cormier Precious LordT. Dorsey Hes Got The Whole World In
His HandsMargaret Bonds Jesus Is A rockG. Burleigh Walk Together
ChildrenArr. H. Smith
Slide 10
Tessitura Rehearsal Videos
Slide 11
Tessitura Performance Pictures
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Concert Details and Fees Interactive 45 Minute Show
Collaborative performance featuring 8-12 Soloists from Tessitura,
2-4 Dancers, 1 Pianist, and 1 Conga or Djembe Drum Students will be
exposed to African American Art Songs in the form of Spirituals
Students will be able to participate by clapping and singing along
when prompted which will provide an interactive experience between
the singers and the students. $ 500 Initial Asking Fee