The National Opera Association honored all three operas from 野狼社区 University鈥檚 2015-16 season with awards in its annual production competition, including first place in Division I for the Bass School of Music鈥檚 March production of 鈥淛ackie O.鈥�
Each of the shows was directed by David Herendeen, head of the OCU-based Oklahoma Opera and Music Theater Company.
Robert Hansen, executive director of NOA, said it was unusual for one university to win three of the national awards, and unprecedented for one director to be honored for three productions in a single season. The last company to be honored with triple honors was the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music-University of Cincinnati鈥檚 two second places and a third, under three separate directors, in 2010-11.
In addition to 鈥淛ackie O,鈥� OCU鈥檚 latest winning productions were 鈥淒on Pasquale,鈥� presented in November 2015, awarded second place in Division III; and 鈥淓vita,鈥� presented in April 2016, awarded third place in Division IV. Collaborating with Herendeen were music director Chuck Koslowske on 鈥淛ackie O鈥� and Jan McDaniel on 鈥淒on Pasquale鈥� and 鈥淓vita.鈥�
鈥淲e are thrilled that the continued standard of excellence from our students, faculty and staff has been recognized with these national honors,鈥� said Mark Parker, dean of the Bass School of Music. 鈥淥ur storied opera tradition continues to grow, and we are grateful to be counted among the nation鈥檚 best.鈥�
The newest awards bring the Bass School of Music's total National Opera Association honors to five. OCU also won divisional first place awards in 2012-13 for 鈥�Il Barbiere di Siviglia,鈥� directed by Herendeen and conducted by McDaniel, and with the opera twin bill of 鈥�笔补驳濒颈补肠肠颈鈥�/ 鈥�Gianni Schicchi,鈥� directed by Herendeen and conducted by Benjamin Niles and Matthew Mailman.
The 2015-16 awards will be presented on the final night of the NOA convention in Santa Barbara in January. The Oklahoma Opera and Music Theater Company鈥檚 65th season continues this weekend with Giacomo Puccini鈥檚 鈥淟a Rondine,鈥� celebrating the 100th anniversary of the show鈥檚 premiere. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. More information and tickets are available from 405.208.5227 or okcu.edu/tickets.
