Three students of MSU Opera Theatre and the College of Music Vocal Arts Area competed remotely and earned significant recognition from the Metropolitan Opera National Council in mid-winter 2021. The historic competition is known for opening doors for aspiring opera singers with the renowned Metropolitan Opera, and was held virtually to offset concerns related to COVID-19.

Music performance doctoral student Ben Reisinger, and music performance undergraduates Shannon Crowley and Will Johnson advanced from an initial pool of more than 1,200 auditions from North America to compete within the Eastern District. Reisinger won his district and advanced to the regional round where he competed against 13 singers from three districts and earned a Met Regional Encouragement Award. Crowley and Johnson received Met District Encouragement Awards.

Johnson is a student of Professor of Voice Richard Fracker, Chair of the Vocal Arts Area. Crowley and Reisinger are students of Mark Rucker, professor of voice. Both Fracker and Rucker are alumni of the Met. Fracker, a tenor, performed 10 seasons and 160 performances. Rucker, a baritone, is on the Met’s current roster and has performed major roles with in other renowned venues such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Carnegie Hall, and the Vienna State Opera.

Rucker said the nearly 70-year-old event is inherently intense, but commented the temporary switch to all virtual auditions upped the stakes. In addition to practice and preparation, students faced the added stress of having to become “mini-producers” of their virtual auditions and performances. The virtual format also altered the mix of competitors at district levels, since participants could compete in any of the council’s 42 districts, despite where they resided.

“Our students were up to the challenge and were exceptional,” said Rucker. “They were absolutely in the top picks. We applaud the Met for holding the competition this year despite the difficulties of going all virtual.”

Reisinger said he tried not to worry too much about the nuances of virtual versus an on-site competition. Instead, he focused on what he could control. The toughest part, he said, was singing with a track recording rather than an accompanist. But he made it work, and knew everybody else was in the same boat.

“I’ve always been the type where I am singing like I’m the only one in the room,” he said. “In some ways, it’s easier with the computer in front of you, to imagine that no one is there and you’re singing just for the art of singing.”

Crowley agreed that the virtual auditions required a different mindset. But she was thankful for Rucker’s support and guidance that took her mind off technological worries and redirected her focus solely on singing.

“Competing virtually definitely brought me some anxieties,” she said. “But that being said, the opportunities I have received have been plentiful primarily because the faculty at MSU have trusted and pushed me to become the best that I can be.”

Johnson, Crowley and Reisinger join countless students of the MSU Vocal Arts area who have garnered recognition through international, national and regional competitions. Many students, too, have earned apprenticeships with prestigious opera programs and have appeared professionally in opera, Broadway, films, and concert halls throughout the world. Equally dedicated to music education, many vocal arts alumni hold teaching positions in colleges, universities, and secondary education throughout the United States.

“Ben was brilliant, and we’re so proud of him, Shannon and Will,” said Rucker. “Our students have withstood the challenges that this unusual year has brought, and have come out shining.”