Two applicants stood out but then couldn’t be separated when deciding a Border vocal scholarship, so for the first time the prize was shared.
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And the winners happen to be brother and sister.
James and Emily Strachan, of Baranduda, fulfilled part of their award by performing at Walla, Albury and Wodonga over the weekend in three Murray Conservatorium Choir Christmas concerts.
Choir director Hugh Fullarton said the Bill Kell Scholarship, aimed at school and university age singers, offered free vocal tuition at the conservatorium and the chance to present concert solos.
“It’s a public vehicle for them, with a guaranteed audience for them to get up and hone their craft,” he said.
“It’s really what you might call an apprenticeship.
“The decision wasn’t so much difficult in terms of James or Emily over anyone else, we knew we wanted both of those.
“It was extremely difficult to choose between the two of them.”
The late Mr Kell had been a leading chorister and prominent in Albury’s musical scene.
Tenor James, 23, and soprano Emily, 18, said they had been pleased to share the award.
James said he auditioned after working until 2am the night before as a barman.
“I got up in the morning and thought my voice is no good,” he said.
“But once I got there you sort of get into the zone.”
He made sure to arrange time off work for the weekend’s concerts, which included his solo from Handel’s Messiah.
As Fullarton said, “Every tenor will at some point sing an aria from Messiah, you might as well start out your career doing it”.
Along with her individual performance, Emily took the soprano solo in the choral work Magnificat, which was written by English composer John Rutter in 1990.
“It’s been really good, everyone’s very supportive,” she said.
Their director praised the singers’ efforts.
“They have just brought so much energy to the various parts within the choir that they sing with,” Fullarton said. “It’s not just the accomplishment of their voice, it’s what they represent.
“They represent the next generation and the vitality of young, shining singers and it’s fantastic.”