Louisiana Student Grabs Spot With The American Pops Orchestra

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana’s Madison Russell is among 30 college singers chosen to compete in the American Pops Orchestra’s “NextGen: The Voices of Tomorrow” contest.

The virtual event will be livestreamed at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, Nov. 21. Performances will be judged by a panel of Broadway singers, recording artists and contest viewers who cast votes.

Russell is a junior from Zachary, La., majoring in vocal performance. She earned a spot in the semifinal round of the competition by recording a video that she sent to the American Pops Orchestra last month.

Russell said she is relishing the opportunity to compete against students from some of the best music programs in the country, including the Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and New England Conservatory of Music.

“If I win it would give me a huge opportunity. I’d get to perform in Washington D.C., with a really well-known orchestra.”

Ten finalists will be chosen as part of the competition. The finalists are tentatively scheduled to perform with the American Pops Orchestra sometime this spring, depending on COVID-19 considerations. An overall winner, a male runner-up, and a female runner-up will earn scholarships and a paid performance with the orchestra.

It’s the sort of role Russell has been preparing for since kindergarten. That’s when she joined her church choir – and found an outlet for singing that began as a toddler. “My mom always jokes that I could sing before I could talk. She would hear me babbling musically.”

As she grew up, Russell sang in school choirs, performed in musical theater shows, and attended music conferences. She didn’t start thinking about making singing a career, however, until she was in high school.

“I never really knew music was the path I was going to take until I got older. I kept auditioning for things and getting more and more opportunities. That made me realize music might be something I could actually pursue,” Russell said.

She’s continued honing her craft at UL. Russell is a member of the School of Music and Performing Arts’ Chamber Singers, Chorale, and Ragin’ Cajun Women’s Choir. She is president of all three ensembles.

The affiliations have provided opportunities to work with – and learn from – guest musicians who have visited the University’s School of Music and Performing Arts. Russell has also performed with conductors from other countries when the UL Chamber Singers perform with the Acadia Symphony Orchestra.

“I can’t even count the number of cool opportunities we get to work with musicians from around the world. It’s been really great,” Russell said.

She also values – and plans to use – what she’s picking up in the classroom. She’s learned how to write music, for example, and is studying pedagogy, which is the method and practice of teaching.

Russell plans to earn graduate and doctoral degrees, and eventually teach at a college or university. But first she has other ideas.

“I want to stick with performance while my voice is still young and healthy. Once I graduate, I’m going to move to New York to start gigging,” she said.

More...

Louisiana.edu

[Turbine]

First time I read it, I read "gigging" as giggling. I was like, why would she want to move to New York to start giggling?

I'm up to speed now.

[NOCajun]

First time I read it, I read "gigging" as giggling. I was like, why would she want to move to New York to start giggling?

I'm up to speed now.

That made me giggle...

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana’s Madison Russell will be performing with the American Pops Orchestra on April 10 in Washington, D.C.

The junior vocal performance major considers the chance to sing with an internationally known orchestra an early present.

It’s a gift she’s given herself.

Russell was among 10 finalists selected from a field of 30 singers who competed in the semifinals of the orchestra’s “NextGen: The Voices of Tomorrow” virtual competition on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The next day, she learned how highly a panel of Broadway singers, recording artists and viewers who cast votes thought of her rendition of “My White Knight.” The song is from the Broadway musical “The Music Man.”

Russell, who is from Zachary, La., earned a spot in the semifinals after recording a video of herself singing a one-minute segment of “My White Knight.” She sent the recording to the American Pops Orchestra in October.

On Saturday, Russell competed against students from the Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and other top schools. “I feel extremely flattered because every performer in the semifinals was definitely meant to be there.

“I think one thing that pushed me forward is I sounded different than other competitors. As I watched, I thought, ‘If I do make it to finals, it could be because I bring a different sound to the table.’ My voice has a classical color given my opera background,” she explained.

While growing up, Russell sang in school choirs and performed in musical theater. At UL, she is a member of the School of Music and Performing Arts’ Chamber Singers and Chorale ensembles. Russell is president of the Ragin’ Cajun Women’s Choir.

For her upcoming performance with the American Pops Orchestra, she’s looking forward to singing “The White Knight” in its entirety. “I didn’t even have a chance to sing my favorite part the first time,” she said with a laugh.

Russell is hopeful to be chosen the “NextGen: The Voices of Tomorrow” winner or the female runner-up. A male runner-up will also be selected. The trio will earn scholarships, a paid performance with American Pops Orchestra and chances to boost their singing careers.

“Finalists are placed on a contact list as potential singers for when the orchestra is planning shows, and I’m happy that now they know what my voice sounds like,” she said.

More... Louisiana.edu

[moorecajun]

Congratulations Madison! I look forward to seeing and hearing you on April 10th.

GEAUX CAJUNS!