Moore musical stylings in concert tonight
Andrew Riggs / The Collegian
At a rehearsal for her senior recital Sherah Moore sings to fellow vocal performance major Jennie Gray and the empty seats of the concert hall while accompanied by Natasha Kislenko. Her recital is tonight at 7:30 p.m. |
By Jillian Yalung
The Collegian
WITH AN INJURY to her right hand, a life as a pianist was no longer an option. Sherah Moore turned to vocal performance.
Though it wasn’t her original focus she has been singing since the age of 4, performing duets with her younger sister for church.
Her musical journey brought her to Fresno State and prompted her major in vocal performance.
Throughout Moore’s adolescence, she concentrated on the art of the piano. She was the accompanist in a Visalia-based group, The Celebrant Singers. With the group, Moore was able to travel and perform across the United States and throughout Ireland.
After injuring her hand, Moore moved on to the next best thing to piano: singing. With the support of her mother, Kathy, the transition from the piano to voice was both smooth and comforting.
Moore began working with her vocal coach, Judas Dickison, improving her voice, range, ear and performing abilities. She arrived in Fresno thinking of pursuing her dream of being a Broadway performer.
While learning the fundamentals at Fresno State, Moore began to take a liking to classical opera. Gaining a passion for this type of music, she then declared her major.
Moore began as a freshman by choosing her proposed senior recital date. She took courses learning the history, theory and most importantly the languages (German, Italian, Portuguese, Latin, French and Spanish) of music to prepare for this recital.
Moore said the best preparation for such an event is exposure. Her most prestigious offer, thus far, was a paid invitation to sing a solo for The Poulenc Concert in November of last year.
Moore won The Fresno County Young Vocalists Award in spring of 2005. This accomplishment gave her the exposure she needed. Shortly after her victory, calls began pouring in.
The Fresno Philharmonic Group honored Moore’s talent by inviting her and a fellow singer, Aileen Robinson, to sing a Hebrew piece for their annual Christmas concert.
Moore has been invited to sing for Fresno Falcons’ games and sang at the Top Dog Alumni Awards.
Before graduating this spring, Moore is scheduled to participate in several more functions for Fresno State.
In February she will travel with Professor Anna Hamre’s Fresno State Concert Choir to Carnegie Hall.
After graduation, Moore plans to pursue her master's degree in vocal performance. She hopes to become an apprentice to the San Francisco Conservatory. While working at the Conservatory, Moore plans to gain the knowledge and training needed to become a part of the San Francisco Opera House.
Moore said, “You have to do what you love to do.” Within 15 years, she hopes to be a successful singer and a mentor for other students, spreading her knowledge at the university level.
Tonight Moore will take the stage for her senior recital, the recital she began planning for five years ago.
She said it would be a very diverse concert. She will be performing an array of music at 7:30 p.m. in the Fresno State Concert Hall. Admission is free. The program includes songs in English, Italian, German, Latin, French and will be completed by a 16-minute finale by Mozart called “Exsultate, jubilate.” Moore encouraged students and professors to attend. “It will be a culturally gratifying experience.” She said this recital will reflect the 19 years that she has worked to get to this point.
“It is all about the music. I’m just the messenger with this music.”
Comment on this story in the Features forum >>
|
