BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition

Twenty opera singers from across the globe have been selected to compete in this year’s prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and one of the select finalists is local Bathurst talent Helen Sherman (pictured above). Helen will be performing in Cardiff when the competition gets underway in June and she will have the added distinction of performing in front of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, internationally renowned singer, who takes up her role as Patron of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World for the first time.

Securing a top 20 place against the original six hundred opera and concert singers who auditioned for a place in the competition is no mean feat however Helen is no stranger to the hard work and discipline, “Helen was always determined, she was like that as a little girl” said her proud father Brian Sherman. Helen, a mezzo-soprano, commenced singing in her school years at the Mitchell Conservatorium under Olga Reeder and then graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Since then professional singing development and career has gone from strength to strength most recently giving debut concerts at Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, Bridgewater Hall and Royal Albert Hall and appeared with Roger Vignoles and Mikhail Zemtsov in the Cambridge Summer Recital series. At the RNCM she sang the roles of Hélène (Offenbach‘s La Belle Hélène), Sesto (Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito) and Cyrus (Handel's Belshazzar), the latter in a co-production with Manchester Camerata. She also recorded with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra as part of an International Opera Productions prize and broadcast a recital for ABC Classic FM in Australia.

The Mitchell Conservatorium wishes Helen all the very best for her performance for the Cardiff Singer of the Word 2011 competion.

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If one of your New Years resolutions is the see more live music then the Mitchell Conservatorium 2011 Concert Series is for you.

The Concert Series program is now available in an easy to read calendar format highlighting not-to-be-missed musical events and workshops from internationally recognised flautist Jane Rutter in Concert, Australia’s premier gospel a cappella choir The Café of the Gate of Salvation, popular Autumn and Spring Series concerts to free lunchtime recitals, Simon Tedeschi with the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, Barnyard Orchestra for 0 to 5 year olds and the ever popular Carols by Candlelight.

“We have three streams to our 2011 Concert Series” says Mitchell Conservatorium Executive Director Fiona Thompson “visiting artist concerts and workshops, recitals from popular local musicians and our ‘stars of tomorrow’ student showcases and events that are suitable and recommended for the whole family. There really is something for everyone.”

Drop into the Mitchell Conservatorium reception at West Wing Bathurst Courthouse, Russell St to claim your free 2011 Concert Series Calendar and you will also receive a gift voucher for free admission for one person to one of their selected concerts throughout the year.

All enquiries please call 6331 6622

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STOP PRESS

2011 Australia Day Honours list recognises 15 Australians for their services to music. Mitchell Conservatorium especially congratulates Mrs Barbara McLure BRUCE (NSW) on receiving the MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA in the general division for service to music as a pianist, teacher and mentor. Barbara teaches at our Lachlan Campus.

See also People we meet: Maureen Newell. The Lithgow Mercury features an interview with one of our fabulous teachers from the Lithgow Campus.