Dream Comes True for CMU Singer

Filed under CMU News, Fine Arts on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

Brittany Losh has been a fan of Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre since she began studying his music in high school. On April 1, the Central Methodist University student performed with the Distinguished Concerts International in New York City (DCINY) under his direction. Losh auditioned for the performance last December.

Losh, a junior vocal music education major from Pacific, Mo., arrived in NYC on March 29. The next morning she attended her first rehearsal at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Losh visited Radio City Music Hall and even got to be on stage.

Losh auditioned for a solo part in "Five Hebrew Love Songs" during a Saturday morning rehearsal. At the audition Whitacre conducted her, and Losh describes it as "one of the most memorable moments" of her trip.

Composer Morten Lauridsen attended this rehearsal and accompanied the singers on his piece "Sure on This Shining Night" on piano. According to Losh, the performers applauded Lauridsen after the song, but he stopped them and explained it was the best performance of his song he had ever heard.

The rest of the day consisted of sight-seeing and attending a Broadway performance of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre.

The dress rehearsal was held at Carnegie Hall, just a couple of hours before the performance. Losh describes the concert as "unbelievable."

"There aren't any other words to describe how it feels to sing where so many other great musicians have been, and to share a stage with two of today's greatest composers," she says.

There was a VIP reception following the concert at Rosie O'Grady's. During dinner Whitacre came to congratulate the performers, and Losh got a picture with him.

"The whole thing feels like a dream," she says. "I'll remember it forever."

Losh studies under the instruction of Susan Quigley-Duggan, assistant professor of music. Upon graduation from Central, she plans on attending graduate school to obtain a Masters in Vocal Performance.

At CMU, Losh is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, plays the trombone in the marching and concert bands, and is a part of various choirs.

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist programs range from undergraduate and graduate studies to high-school dual credit offerings. Serving more than 5,000 students on its historic main campus in Fayette, through collaborative programs at locations across Missouri, and online, the CMU mission emphasizes academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.

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