The Bushnell Announces Tenth Annual Vocal Fellowship Concert, 6/17

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is has announced the tenth annual concert of the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship will be held at The Bushnell's Belding Theater on Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

The 2011-2012 Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellows include Nick Bayer of South Windsor, Julianne Daly of Burlington, Reagan Henke of Avon; Jessa Sahl of Avon, Kathleen Walsh of Manchester, and Miles Wilson-Toliver of Meriden. The concert will feature the current class of fellows, in addition to alumni from the first ten years of the program.

The Vocal Fellowship is a full scholarship program for a small number of very talented young singers interested in classical and musical theatre repertoire. The Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship provides conservatory-like training for high school students with tuition-free instruction in voice, vocal coaching and musical skills. Master Classes are held monthly with industry professionals. Fellows perform annually throughout the school year in addition to the formal concert at The Bushnell in June.

Founded in 2002 by Bob Darling, a member of the Bushnell Board of Trustees at the time, the Vocal Fellowship has provided training for more than 35 students. Darling's passion for vocal music and nurturing of young talent was evident as he attended auditions, master classes, and rehearsals, and hosted an annual dinner for the fellows and their families. In 2006, Bob made a substantial commitment to the program by establishing a fund to provide for the Vocal Fellowship for the next 20 years. Past fellows came together to sing and pay tribute to Bob Darling at his memorial service in 2009 and continue to honor their mentor as many progress in professional music careers.