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Appalachian student captures vocal success in competitions |
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Thursday, 08 March 2007 |
by TREVA CARTER
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
For many people, it takes time to figure out what they want to do with their life. However, for Brian A. Newland, a senior music performance major, he knew he wanted to sing by the time he was in middle school.
“Our middle school would go over and do programs for the elementary school. Well, the chorus that year did the Addams Family, and I was like, ‘That’s hot,’” Newland said. “With the choreography and
the singing – that’s what made me get into it.”
 Active Image | Joshua Dakon | Special to The Appalachian
Appalachian State University senior music performance major, Brian A. Newland, was one of three winners at the Concerto-Aria contest Tuesday.
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Newland was born in Guyana, South America then moved to New York and then to Florida where his family currently resides.
So what brought him to Appalachian State University?
Newland said his music teacher visited Appalachian for the Appalachian
Music Festival. She then came back and told Newland about the Hayes
School of Music. His music teacher studied with Dr. Julia A. Pedigo, a
music professor at Appalachian, and, from then on, he knew he wanted to
come to college at Appalachian.
“The voice faculty is one of the main reasons I am here. They are really supportive of everything we do,” Newland said.
Newland is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu
Alpha, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Order of Black and Gold,
and he also volunteers at Bryan Estates, sometimes singing for the
elderly.
Despite his busy schedule, Newland has managed to go to competitions and set high goals for himself.
“I think as a performer he has a lot of potential [and] a lot of
talent,” Hollie H. Lacy, staff accompanist for the school of music,
said. “He has worked hard to develop himself musically. If he
continues, he will go far.”
Over the last couple of weekends, Newland has competed and received
second place in the Opera Guild of Charlotte for the men’s
undergraduate level, first place at the National Association for
Teachers and Singers in the advanced college men division and second
place in the musical theatre college men division.
One of the biggest honors Newland has received is the Concerto-Aria
performer. The person chosen for this honor gets to perform with the
university orchestra, and he has won this twice.
Newland also won the first American Singers Opera Project scholarship,
which is usually held in New York but the organization decided to try
the program in North Carolina.
“I get so overwhelmed when Brian sings. Tears always come to my eyes. I
think so highly of him,” Averil L. Newland, Brian’s mother, said. “In
middle school I did not know he had that much potential to achieve what
he has right now. Everyone goes out of their way to hear him sing.
Everybody likes him.
He is very beloved.”
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