University Communications and Marketing
MSU Billings Graduate in Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finals
January 5, 2011
Contacts:
Department of Music, 657-2350
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Brianne Rebekah Roney, a 2007 graduate from Montana State University Billings, recently won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for the Colorado/Wyoming Districts. She will now compete in the regional finals in Denver this weekend.
Roney, who received her bachelor’s degree in music with a vocal performance option, sang arias from Puccini’s “Turandot,” Massenet’s “Hérodiade” and Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” to reach the regional finals.
If she wins the Denver regional competition, she will advance to New York to participate in the National Semi-Finals, a competition held on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. Approximately 10 of the semi-finalists are selected as national finalists and compete in a public concert accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The competition’s jury awards approximately five Grand Winner awards of $15,000 each. The remaining national finalists receive $5,000 each, and those singers who were National Semi-Finalists but did not advance to the National Finals will be given $1,500 to further their studies.
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions is a program designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. The auditions are held annually in 14 regions of the United States and Canada.
While attending MSU Billings, the Cody, Wyo., native received her operatic start with Rimrock Opera, singing Flora in “La Traviata,” Madame Goldentrill in “The Impresario” and Sister Dolcina in “Sister Angelica.” While at MSU Billings, Roney was a student of Lesley Jordan. She remained busy outside of the classroom and concert halls. She was a tennis student-athlete and was a member of the university’s national student-athlete advisory committee.
Roney was soprano soloist with Powell’s Community Orchestra in Vaughan Williams' “Hodie” and most recently was a soloist with the Billings Messiah Festival.
For more information on academic options at MSU Billings, contact the Department of Music at 657-2350.