Notre Dame College is lifting the voices of young vocalists with an exclusive opportunity for high school students to practice advanced vocal skills alongside experts with Grammy connections—and to perform with prominent College ensembles.
Notre Dame’s Performing Arts programs are proclaiming Saturday, February 18, as Voice Day 2023, an inaugural celebration of human song.
Singers in grades 9-12 throughout the region will train with guest operatic recording artist, Edward Vogel, in a masterclass and then will join with Vogel and the Notre Dame choir in a public concert conducted by Mark Laseter, assistant professor and director of vocal studies at the College. Vogel and Laseter, both baritones, have performed for Grammy-winning conductors and with Grammy-winning ensembles, respectively.
The program featuring Vogel in recital with the Notre Dame Concert Choir and Voice Day participants takes place Saturday, February 18, at 7 p.m. in Regina Auditorium on the College campus. Enter campus at 1857 South Green Road. A meal will be provided prior to the concert at 5:45 p.m. for those who register in advance. Both events are free and open to the public.
The College’s Music Department has invited high school vocalists to join Notre Dame’s vocal ensemble in a festival choir rehearsal exploring repertoire, solo vocal and choral technique. The day consists of a vocal masterclass with Vogel followed by a question-and-answer session with the guest artist and Notre Dame music faculty, staff and students. The class and Q&A also are open to the public.
These collegiate Voice Day sessions take place from 2-5:45 p.m., also in Regina Auditorium. The complete schedule contains:
- Check-In: 2 p.m.
- Group Warm-Up: 2:30 p.m.
- Open Choral Rehearsal: 3 p.m.
- Break for Free Time: 4 p.m.
- Voice Masterclass with Guest Artist, Edward Vogel, Baritone: 4:30 p.m.
- Q&A Panel: 5:15 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:45 p.m.
- Concert Featuring Edward Vogel in Recital Alongside Notre Dame Choir with Voice Day Guests: 7 p.m.
- Departure: 8 p.m.
Additional information is available online.
About Edward Vogel
Described by Opera News as “accomplished, stylistically informed” and “sonorous,” Vogel’s passion is in performing early music, oratorio and art songs. His solo repertoire spans nearly 10 centuries.
Vogel has appeared with international ensembles, such as Theatre of Voices, Bach Collegium Japan and the Yale Schola Cantorum, with whom he has participated in recordings on the Hyperion Label.
He has sung as a soloist under conductors, including Masaaki Suzuki and David Hill, both authorities on the works of Bach, Nicholas McGegan, known for his mastery of Handel’s music; and Jeannette Sorrell, Grammy-winning conductor and internationally recognized interpreter of Baroque and classical repertoire and performances of Mozart.
Vogel’s vocal interpretations have been heard onstage with such orchestras as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, “Apollo’s Fire” and “Juilliard 415,” as well as in intimate concert settings across the United States.
A choral singer who began his musical training as a boy soprano, Vogel received his Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music where he studied under tenor, James Taylor, and was a member of the Yale Voxtet program. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.
About Mark Laseter
Laseter, also a keyboardist and educator, served as a choral scholar at Hereford Cathedral in the United Kingdom and has performed at Buckingham Palace and both the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Recent performances with professional choral ensembles range from “Seraphic Fire,” the Portland Bach Experience, “Apollo’s Fire,” “True Concord Voices” and Grammy Award-winning-ensemble, “The Crossing.”
He awarded first prize in the 2021 Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition from the Kentucky Bach Choir.
Laseter earned a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Westminster Choir College and a master’s degree in sacred music from the University of Notre Dame.
February 2023
Kimberly T. Krozser, ’17, contributed to this article.
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit NotreDameCollege.edu.
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid, Ohio, committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit NotreDameCollege.edu.