Singer Courtenay Budd performs
“When you go to New York City and ask for the way to Carnegie Hall, people tell you the answer is practice. Well you don’t have to go to Carnegie Hall tonight because Carnegie Hall has come to you,” said Todd Shiver, the interim music department chair in his introduction of Budd.
Courtenay Budd is a professional classical soprano and has been singing professionally since the age of 23. Her soprano has been praised as “a voice for connoisseurs”. Budd has been heard with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the National Symphony, multiple occasions at Carnegie Hall, Spoleto USA, and the Grand Teton and Bard Music Festivals.
With her reputation preceding her, she did not disappoint Monday night.
“She was very entertaining. Her voice had a really clear tone and it was almost ethereal,” said Elisa Aven, a Sophomore Music Therapy major.
Around 50 students, faculty and friends attended her performance, which lasted almost an hour and a half. Her enthusiasm on stage spread into the audience where she elicited laughs and hearty applause at the end of each song group.
Budd came as a part of the Guest Artist Series for the Department of Music & Theatre.
Budd, who has been singing since the age of seven, draws her inspiration from many places but the person that pops out is her grandmother.
“My grandmother was a lifetime church musician and she got me started in singing. She took me to my first voice lesson,” Budd said.
She sang five groups of songs with an intermission after the first three.
“I am very grateful to all of you for coming; especially to the students. This recital is for the students,” said Budd. She also expressed enthusiasm for the talent in the music program at Georgia College.
This was not Budd’s first appearance at GCSU. She had come once before in 2000. To the school’s advantage, Budd’s aunt is a former voice teacher in the music department. Without the strong connection to the school, it is unlikely that a performer of Budd’s status would be able perform at Georgia College.
GCSU’s Marcelina Turcanu accompanied Budd throughout her performance on the piano. Budd was in good company with Turcanu, who is currently the artist in residence at the International Academy for Russian Music, Arts and Culture. Turcanu has extensive experience on the international stage and has won awards both for her teaching and performing careers.
The combined performances made for an enchanting night of exceptional music.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Dec 5 2008. Filed under Features.
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