While many students flocked to warmer weather, 20 Hillsdale College vocalists traveled to East Lansing on March 3 to showcase their talents at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes Regional Competition at Michigan State.
The competition featured students from schools in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario, each performing three pieces in either classical or musical theater categories, with three music professors from the region serving as judges for each event.
“This competition really gives students something to work toward,” Teacher of Music Melissa Osmond said. “It’s exciting for them. The bar is raised and Hillsdale kids always meet the bar that is raised for them.”
Osmond saw several of her studio students place in their respective events, including freshman Zsanna Bodor, who took first place in the classical competition for freshmen women.
“I went in and I sang, and I enjoyed it, because I knew I was well prepared by my lessons with Mrs. Osmond,” Bodor said. “Then, when the results came, it was a big surprise.”
For the feat, Bodor earned a spot in the winners’ recital at the end of the competition, with her classmates cheering her on.
“All the Hillsdale students stayed, so when I looked out from stage, it was two rows full of Hillsdale people…cheering for me and clapping for me,” she said. “I was really touched by all of the encouragement.”
Freshman Julia Salloum joined Bodor in placing for the category, taking third, while junior Sydney Orndorff placed third in the classical competition for junior women. Hillsdale also placed twice in the musical theater categories, with senior Glynis Gilio taking second in the category for junior and senior men and women, and Salloum grabbing third for freshman and sophomore men and women.
Sophomore Samuel Musser, who joined the vocalists as an accompanist, described the atmosphere as similar to a “team sporting event.”
“Everyone is going and you’re all on team Hillsdale. So when somebody else is going, you wait by the door while they’re in there singing for the judges and then you cheer and pat them on the back when they come out,” he said. “It’s this great team atmosphere which is something you don’t get in music often.”
According to the students, the competition was an incredible opportunity to receive feedback from professors at other schools, perform in a new place, and, above all, bond with classmates.
“It felt like a family, in a way, even though I’ve only been here for a year,” Bodor said. “I feel like they are my support group, and that’s a really wonderful feeling.”
Freshman Michaela Stiles echoed the sentiment, expressing thanks for the support from Osmond and Professor of Music James Holleman.
“It was so encouraging, as a student, knowing that the people who are teaching you are behind you 100 percent,” she said.
Several students also expressed gratitude to the college and the music department for funding their place in the competition. According to Osmond, the pleasure was all hers.
“It’s just the most joyful job on the planet,” she said. “To have people discover their voices in music and see that they are absolutely capable of getting up there and doing a great job, and they did…and they made me a very, very proud teacher.”
