JOY IN SINGING
The Dalton Baldwin Art Song Institute
art-song,recital, piano vocal duo, classical music, concert, competition
"The basis of all music is the human voice... The original instrument of man. The voice heard in its purest form--
in recital ---is perhaps one of the most important contributions to musical values in our lives." - -Isaac Stern
Our International Art Song Competition
will be held for the 2024-2025 seasons.
The application process is now closed
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PAUL SPERRY IN REMEMBRANCE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
3:00-4:30pm
Manhattan School of Music, Neidorff-Karpati Hall
130 Claremont Ave, NY NY 10027
Reception to follow
IN MEMORIAM
Honoring: Paul Sperry
1934 - 2024
SERVICE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
3:00-4:30pm
Manhattan School of Music, Neidorff-Karpati Hall
130 Claremont Ave, NY NY 10027
Reception to follow
A few months ago, we announced the passing of our beloved
Chief Administrator, Dorene Marshall. Dorene served Joy In Singing for 48 years, working hand in hand with Paul Sperry as Artistic Director for 34 of those years. We regret to announce that now, Paul has also left us. A few months past his 90th birthday, celebrated by his performing a concert of beloved art songs, Paul Sperry died of endocarditis on June 13, 2024. He was ill for a very short time, and at the time of his passing, was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Paul was married to the artist, Ann Sperry, the great love of his life, who passed away fifteen years ago.
Paul became our Artistic Director soon after the passing of our
Founder, Winifred Cecil. He easily assumed the role of coach and
teacher to the hopefuls who auditioned for our yearly Competition.
Arranging for special accommodations at the Bruno Walter
Auditorium for our semi final and final rounds, he taught with
the same intention as Winnie, to bring art song to life for young
singers. He assembled judges from all walks of classical
music performance, and helped the winners prepare and present
their prize winning performances.
His great love was American art song and he created and then
curated over 25 recitals of American song for Joy in Singing
celebrating such composers as Tom Cipullo, Richard Hundley, John
Musto and Ned Rorem. Paul was still teaching at the Manhattan
School of Music and Queens College bringing his incredible
resilience and love of song to his students.
He left us with a legacy of understanding and appreciation of
American art song that is finally center stage. Thank you, Paul.
Honoring: A. DORENE MARSHALL
August 20, 1924 - January 31, 2024
___________________________________
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of
Anna Dorene Marshall. She was the Secretary /Treasurer
of Joy in Singing for 48 years, doing the administrative
work necessary to produce over 60 concerts and competitions.
Completely devoted to the Mission created by Winifred Cecil,
Dorene helped preserve its deep message by her ability to forge productive relationships with any and all Board members and volunteers who assumed leadership roles. The present Board is grateful beyond words for the immaculate and timely records she maintained. Her contribution did not end there.
She was also hostess to the myriad meetings of the Board
and special donors, presenting not only her robust humor
and personality but frankly, 'the best food in town', which
she prepared. Dorene started as a voice student in Winnie's
studio dreaming of her favorite role, "NORMA". But after
developing a severe case of stage fright, she became Winnie's
right hand ... and left!! She was living at a Manhattan nursing
home for the past five years, when health issues, both
mental and physical stopped her achieving 100 years.
She will be sorely missed, her memory etched in all our
thoughts as a kind, loving and compassionate human being.
The Joy In Singing 2023 Debut Award Artist
Claire McCahan
Mezzo soprano Claire McCahan has been applauded for her unique tone and genuine expression. Dedicated to the creative programming of contemporary and classic art song repertoire, she co-founded Horizon Duo, with collaborative pianist Barbie Noyes. In 2022, Horizon Duo won first prize at the NATS Artist Awards competition and were semi-finalists in the Franz Schubert & Modern Music Lied Duo competition. Other awards include winning the 2020 World of Bach Competition and 2020 Denver LyricOpera Guild Competition. She received her MM and AD from the University of Colorado Boulder, and has performed at the Tanglewood Music Center.
Claire McCahan's New York City Debut Recital was held on February 28, 2023.
Many thanks to everyone who adjudicated during this year's competition cycle: Michael Brofman, Fred Cohn, Patrick Dillon, Maria Fattore, Elizabeth Hurwitt, Kate Hurney, Eve Queler, Deborah Surdi and Howard Watkins.
We are especially grateful to collaborative pianists James Bassi and David Holkeboer, who served as our staff pianists,
playing for more than one third of the seventy plus contestants in the preliminary field.
JOY IN SINGING | DALTON BALDWIN
ART SONG INSTITUTE
An educational resource offering workshops and training in all facets of song and song performance (including history, technique, interpretation and deportment), Joy In Singing, the Art Song Institute, hosts a competition for singers and their pianists with a New York City Debut Recital for the winners, art song concert programs, and public Master Classes, inaugurated in 1958 by our Founder, Winifred Cecil.
We offer artists and audiences many opportunities to experience and learn about this highly varied and wonderful music.
If you have ever attended a Debut Award Recital,
known a child whose school was visited by
been to a SongSalon, or participated
in a Joy In Singing Master Class,
please support our work with a donation.
Donations are tax deductible under the laws governing 501(c) 3 nonprofits.
Thank you for your support!
We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
DALTON BALDWIN
December 19, 1931 –December 12, 2019
