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Baritone Michael Preacely Wins First Place in Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition
Story and photo by Michael Chipman
Baritone Michael Preacely, a junior from Chicago, Illinois,
who studies with Richard Miller, Wheeler Professor of
Performance, recently won first place in the district-level
Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition, held in Flint,
Michigan. The competition, sponsored by the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Womens'
Clubs, is designed to recognize African-American singers for
achievement in the vocal arts.
Preacely was one of six contestants to compete at the district level. "I was up against two graduate students and three undergraduates," he says, "but I was primarily nervous because I lack competition experience. I wasn't sure of what to expect -- I just knew I had to sing and sing well."
Preacely attributes his success to "staying focused and involved with the music. I feel I reached the audience and the judges -- they were actually bouncing their heads to the rhythm during 'Madamina.' I think understanding the words and music, and how you express yourself through your hands and eyes draws people to a performance. I tried to convey that during this competition."
The competition requires singers to prepare five pieces of various styles. Preacely prepared "Madamina," the catalog aria from Mozart's Don Giovanni; "Bois épais," by Lully; "Der Wanderer," by Schubert; "Vouchsafe, Oh Lord," from Handel's Dettingen Te Deum; and "Deep River," by Burleigh. The latter fulfilled a requirement that one of the five pieces be written by an African-American composer.
"I was especially nervous when they announced the winners," says Preacely. "Of the six contestants, they named three runners up and three winners. They first read the names of the runners up and I wasn't included, so I expected to place third. Then they read the third place winner and my heart started racing. When they read the name of the second place winner -- a soprano -- I actually dropped to my knees. I was so happy I ran up onstage and hugged the vice president of the national competition.
"This competition proved I can compete," says Preacely. ". I thought it would be great experience, and it was -- not only from being a contestant and winning, but also because of the the feedback I received. One woman in the audience, who says she attends the competition each year, said 'Every year I write in my book who I think will win and you were my choice.' The judges also provided constructive feedback. One judge said I need to work on my low notes. He was the judge who chose all the music for the contestants to perform -- we were only allowed to sing two pieces. I was glad he chose 'Madamina' and 'Bois épais' because they show the full range of my voice."
Professor Richard Miller says of Preacely, "Michael is a young man with great potential and his determination and discipline are growing all the time toward reaching that potential."
Preacely advanced to the district level after winning first place in Cleveland area auditions, and will now participate along with six national finalists at the national competition on July 21 in Norfolk, Virginia. At the national level, the first place winner receives $2,000; second place $1,500; third place $500; the three runners-up each receive $300.
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