By John Brainerd, PDG

Young Singer of the Year Competition celebrates its 24^th Anniversary. It was in 1985 on a flight returning from Europe that David Valentine overheard a conversation involving Joe Huszti, then the Choral Director of University of California, Irvine. That conversation led to a discussion about the lack of competition available for young singing talent in Orange County and the Southern California area. David told Joe, "I know where to get the man power and the funding if you can get the facilities and technical expertise through the University of California, Irvine. A partnership was formed and is now an annual event that excites the Southern California singing community."

This year, 16-plus Rotary Clubs sponsored 60 participants in the preliminary round held on Saturday, March 21. Of this group, 12 were selected, three in each of the four divisions, to participate in the finals which were held on March 22 in the Winifred Smith Concert Hall at UCI. That presentation saw the largest attendance in many years at the singing finals. Everyone was excited by the quality of the competition and the level of achievement of the students.

The judging was conducted by outstanding individuals in their field. The preliminary judges were drawn from the music departments of Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, as well as UCI. The finals were judged by Dr. Matthew Tresler, Chair of the Choral and Vocal Program at Irvine Valley College. Each participant, during the preliminaries, received a written evaluation from the judges and the finalists received both a written evaluation as well as an opportunity to talk to Matthew Tresler during the reception that followed the program. The winners for 2009 are as follows: 

Female Classical
Gold Emily Dyer, Cerritos/Artesia Rotary Club
Silver   Melody Stolpp, Tustin/Santa Ana Rotary Club
Bronze Holly Starr, Mission Viejo Rotary Club

Many of the singers had their own accompanist, but those that did not had the privilege of working with David Dean Shepard, who participated in both the semi-finals and the finals. David made himself available for two hours before the finals so that each student could rehearse with him and be certain that their program was polished. Dean holds degrees in Piano and Choral Conducting from UCI and has written numerous musicals and television shows.

Joe Huszti served as moderator and arranged for the judges and accompanists. He and the staff of University of California arranged the Hall, set up the logistics and handled the programs for the competition.

Each of the finalists will be performing at the District Awards Program to be held on May 12 at the Doubletree Hotel in Orange.