Vocal Competition At Museum

WATERBURY — The Mattatuck Museum is hosting the Tenth Annual Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition, sponsored by the Connecticut clubs (Bridgeport, Elm City/New Haven, Hartford and Waterbury) of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. on Sunday, April 16, beginning at 4 pm.

The purpose of the competition is to provide a competitive arena where young gifted and talented black American vocal performing artists can demonstrate their abilities and aspirations as performing artists in classical music. Begun in 1982 as a program of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc., it has become a major event for the association. The competition is endorsed by the great opera star Leontyne Price, allowing the organization to lend her name to it, contributing to its credibility and success.

Individuals who compete in the competition are among some of today’s talented artists within the classical music arena, pursuing degrees in music from Yale, Hartt School of Music and Connecticut Opera Association. The individuals selected for the competition have met preliminary requirements and will be required to maintain all of the vocal standards within the context, performing in German and French, selected works from the major operas, cantatas or requiems, and a Negro Spiritual by an African American composer.

The winner of the competition will go on to compete in the semi-final competition, to be held in New Jersey in June. The winner of that event will advance to the finals to be held in Washington, D.C. in July.

The public is invited to enjoy the performances of the competition. Admission is free. The Mattatuck Museum is at 144 West Main Street, in downtown Waterbury. For further information, call the museum at 203/753-0381.