Sarasota Youth Opera: 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

Sarasota Youth Opera Packs the House for Annual Holiday Concert

On Sunday, December 11, 2011, the Sarasota Youth Opera Preparatory Chorus and Full Chorus packed the house for their annual Holiday Concert at the Whitfield Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida.

Dave Braun, Music Director of Whitfield Presbyterian Church, welcomed the audience made up of Sarasota Youth Opera Supporters, family, friends and fans. Under the direction of Maestro Jesse Martins, Youth Opera Music Director, Ben Plocher, Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, the Full Chorus and Preparatory Chorus presented an hour long program of opera choruses, folk songs and holiday favorites. As a special treat, Youth Opera parents were invited to join the choruses for a singing of Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" as well as the Christmas classic "Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?". Maestro Kristen Kemp expertly accompanied both groups on the piano.

Dave Braun, Music Director of Whitfield Presbyterian Church, welcomed the audience as well as offered a special thanks to Executive Director, Susan Danis.

The Full Chorus opened the concert with choruses from Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci and Weber's opera Oberon.

The Preparatory Chorus followed with charming folk songs performed from memory

Sarasota Opera Individual Giving Officer, Andrea Gartner, joined the Preparatory Chorus on the oboe

Here are a few more pictures from yesterday's wonderful concert:

The applause was abundant for these young performers and the audience left with smiles on their faces and a holiday song in their heart. Bravi to Maestro Martins, Ben Plocher, Maestro Kemp and especially to each and every member of the Sarasota Youth Opera for all of their hard work!

Monday, October 31, 2011

OPEN CASTING CALL!

Sarasota Opera is hosting an open casting call to find children, ages 8 and up, to participate in the Children’s Chorus of our Winter 2012 production of Bizet’s Carmen on Thursday, November 3 from 6:45pm – 7:45pm in the Pavilion building adjacent to the Sarasota Opera House. Acceptance is based off audition and availability. Selected singers will be given the opportunity to perform on the Sarasota Opera mainstage in full costume and make-up alongside professional opera singers. Availability days (minimal), evenings and weekends is required however rehearsals and performances are not daily.

Sarasota Opera is seeking children who are:

Ages 8 and up
Ideal height is no taller than 5 feet, 5 inches but other heights will be considered
Disciplined and can quickly follow direction
Note: girls must be willing to dress as a boy

At the audition, Maestro Jesse Martins, Youth Opera Music Director, will first teach the group an excerpt from the children’s chorus part in Carmen and then listen to each singer individually. Callbacks with Maestro Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director, will be held on Monday, November 14at 5:30pm. Music rehearsals will begin in December and continue until staging rehearsals start on January 14^th, 2012. There will be a total of 12 performances from February 2^nd through March 24^th. Two performances will be weekday matinees. Please visit www.sarasotaopera.org for a complete listing of performances.

If you would like your child to be considered for this unique opportunity, RSVP to the Youth Opera Coordinator via email bplocher@sarasotaopera.org or at 941-366-8450, ext. 249.

What: Open Call for Sarasota Opera 2012 Winter Season Children’s Chorus

When: Tuesday, November 3, 2011 at 6:45pm.

Where: Pavilion Building adjacent to the Sarasota Opera House: 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

Contact: Ben Plocher, Youth Opera & Outreach Coordinator at (941) 366-8450, ext. 249 or bplocher@sarasotaopera.org

Monday, August 29, 2011

SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2011-2012 SEASON

Sarasota, FL – Entering its 28th year, the Sarasota Youth Opera program, the most comprehensive program of its kind in the United States, is now open for enrollment for the 2011-2012 Season for new and returning young singers ages 8 – 18. Enrollment night for returning singers will happen on Tuesday, August 30th from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm and Enrollment Night for new singers will happen on Thursday, September 1st from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, both at the Sarasota Opera House. Rehearsals will begin the following week.

During the Fall and Winter season, the Sarasota Youth Opera will perform in outreach concerts throughout the community as well as participate in a special concert with the Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artists on March 10, 2012. In addition, Youth Opera members will be eligible to audition for the children’s chorus in Sarasota Opera’s Winter Festival productions of Georges Bizet’s Carmen and Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello. This season promises to be particularly exciting as Sarasota Opera welcomes the new Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, Ben Plocher, and the new Youth Opera Music Director, Jesse Martins, in addition to preparations for a world premiere piece presented by the Sarasota Youth Opera in the fall of 2012. Details to be released shortly.

Ben Plocher, who will serve as the Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Music with honors in Vocal Performance from Butler University in addition to a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University. His experience working as the Operations Manager for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, a statewide choral organization consisting of 1,700 young singers in 15 different ensembles, immediately distinguished him as a well qualified candidate for the position. While at the Indianapolis Children’s Chorus, his primary responsibilities included community outreach, programming, advertising and the development of educational partnerships. "Sarasota Opera's commitment to educational outreach and programming provides invaluable access to the arts for the next generation of opera performers and enthusiasts”, says Mr. Plocher. “I am truly honored to be able to work alongside the Sarasota Opera team towards the fulfillment of such an auspicious, and important, mission."

Jesse Martins will also be joining the Youth Opera staff as the Youth Opera Music Director. Mr. Martins, originally from Brazil, most recently completed his Master of Arts in Collaborative Piano from Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA. Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant Music Director, Program Manager and Coach with Opera Factory in Auckland, New Zealand where his one of his primary responsibilities was the management of the Youth Program in addition to working with such noted conductors and singers such as Sir Andrew Davis, Wyn Davis, Emmanuel Joel-Hornak and soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. "I feel very humbled and excited for my new position with Sarasota Opera”, says Martins. “I'm thrilled to work with Youth Opera again and can't wait to start.” In addition to his degree from Mansfield University, Martins holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Enrollment Night is a fun opportunity for kids and families to meet the music director and program coordinator one-on-one, take a tour of the Opera House, and learn music in a mini-rehearsal (singers do not have to prepare a song for this exercise) to help determine placement between the Youth Opera Chorus and the Preparatory Choir. There will also be a parents meeting to go over specifics of the program, payment schedules, and other information.

Sarasota Youth Opera accepts all levels of talent and provides vocal and acting training. Tuition is $150 per session and scholarships are available based on financial need. Tuition can be paid via check, credit card or the administration can work with you to create a payment plan. The Fall Session will begin in September and the Spring Session begins in early January and end in mid May.

To sign up for either of the enrollment night, call (941) 366-8450, ext. 249.