Opera Theatre of the Rockies' 15th Annual Vocal Arts Festival to Kick Off 7/10

Opera Theatre of the Rockies announces its 15th annual summer "Vocal Arts Festival," two weeks of musical activities and events featuring young singers ranging in age from middle school through post-college/young professionals who come from all over the U.S. to participate in intensive training sessions with voice, acting and dance coaches. Classes given by expert faculty run from Sunday, July 10 to Sunday, July 24 at Colorado College. Several gifted local artists will participate as teaching staff. Festival Concerts feature scenes from opera and music theatre performed by VAF participants and guest artists.

Kicking off this year's Festival will be a family fun event sponsored by the Pikes Peak Opera League. The "Buckaroo BBQ" will be held at Gold Hill Mesa, 142 South Raven Mine Drive, Colorado Springs 80905 and starts at 5 pm. This casual event is open to the entire community and features kids' games, activities, "Decorate your Cowboy Hat" contests and western American music provided by Opera Theatre of the Rockies. A scrumptious BBQ dinner will be served, and Colorado Springs' own Trailriders will provide classic Western music for the evening. For tickets, go online to pikespeakoperaleague.org or call 719-635-7087 for reservations. Cost is $25 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, with a family maximum of $75.

Festival performances this year include three Scenes Concerts featuring program participants and guest artists. These summer concerts add a great deal to the arts scene in Colorado Springs and have proven to be some of the most favorite of Opera Theatre performances year-round. The opening "Let's Make a Scene" concert will be held on Sunday, July 17 at 3 pm followed by a special evening reception hosted by Dr. Susan Rae Jensen and Mr. Tom Trainer at their lovely home in the Broadmoor area. Cost for this performance along with the reception will be $25 per person. Tickets for the concert only will be $15 for Adults and $10 for Students. The second Scenes Concert - "Scene-o-Rama", will be on Wednesday, July 20 at 7 pm. The closing Vocal Arts Festival Scenes Concert "Grand Finale", is scheduled for Sunday July 24 at 3 pm. All three performances will be held at Packard Hall on the Colorado College campus. Tickets for all of the "Scenes" concert are $15 for Adults and $10 for Students. Tickets can be obtained online at www.operatheatreoftherockies.org; through our ticket line at 719-646-3127; at Meeker Music, 624 N Tejon, and at the door.

Established in 1998, Opera Theatre's summer Vocal Arts Festival (previously known at the Vocal Arts Symposium) is well known to Pikes Peak area audiences. Opera Theatre is proud to be able to cooperate once again with Colorado College to provide this exceptional program for the 15th year where emerging artists receive professional training and stage experience. Many of the program's students have gone on to worldwide opera careers and attribute part of their career development and success to their Vocal Arts Festival experience. One nationally recognized Festival singer wrote, "I spent four summers working with Martile Rowland at the Vocal Arts Festival at Colorado College. It was where I first learned stagecraft, movement and preparation of a role...which later became very important in my career. I got so much individual attention; I got to perform in opera scenes carefully selected to work on my voice. I got to know different operas and was exposed to so much music. I learned who I was as a performer, and cannot say enough about what a gift that has been to me in my career!"

Now in its 18th year, Opera Theatre of the Rockies is dedicated to advancing opera throughout southern Colorado through education, training and performance. The organization also supports young aspiring Colorado singers by offering performance opportunities in both major productions and smaller one-act operas. This year, Opera Theatre presented Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" to rave reviews in collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. The company was also featured at the Pioneers Museum with excerpts from Verdi's "La Travata" in honor of their exhibit on Tuberculosis treatment in Colorado Springs. Audiences also enjoy Opera Theatre's wonderful ensemble singers at events across the region.

We hope that people will be inspired to attend the popular Vocal Arts Festival concerts and Young Artists Intensive Training Program classes set for July 10-24, 2016 to experience the amazing talent that these singers gift to the community. It's sure to be unforgettable this year. For more detailed information or tickets, visit www.operatheatreoftherockies.org or call Opera Theatre's ticket line at 719-646-3127. Tickets are also available at Meeker Music, 624 N Tejon Street.

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