McClure and Honors Convocation!

Every year, the College of Fine Arts at JU holds an Honors Convocation to acknowledge students that receive honors from certain professors. I knew that I was receiving an award for a a competition I entered. Recently, I had auditioned and competed against three other amazing musicians for the Virginia Louise McClure Music Performance Award. It was a very tough competition but I ended up winning! I remember sitting down with my mom and my aunt last Monday, the day before they went back home to South Florida, eating lunch. Suddenly, I get a text from my voice professor Kimberly Beasley saying, "Taylor, you won McClure!!!!" I dropped my very delicious grilled cheese back in my to-go container and yelled excitedly, and we all jumped and hugged together! We ran right to her office (where my best friend, Meli, was excitedly sitting on the couch saying, "I found out first!!"). We all celebrated together, and my mom and aunt went back home. Flash forward to yesterday at the Honors Convocation ceremony. I knew that I was receiving my certificate for winning at this event, but what I didn't know was that I was nominated by my choral professors for the Ensemble Award in Chorus! I had worked so hard this year for the program and was still extremely shocked. I just had to get a photo with my University Singers director Dr. Bryson!

Now that the ceremony was over, it was time for my recital! It took place right after the ceremony so I had to really get moving. I felt so excited backstage and had multiple pep talks with Professor Beasley before going on. After I walked on stage, the rest is kind of a blur! I had so much fun and let the music speak for itself. I sang various songs by Bellini, Handel, Wildhorn, Rogers and Hammerstein, and more. It was such an amazing experience. Even better, though, was that my grand finale featured two extremely talented performers and mentors of mine: Professor Beasley and Professor Elyse Matthews! We sang the Three Ladies Trio from The Magic Flute, and it was a surefire hit. I was so honored to share the stage with two professional opera singers, and I was fangirling the entire time. It was hard to act with them there, I wanted to just gush the whole time! It was a night full of such immense thankfulness for my family and everyone who's ever supported me on my musical journey. Next up is singing a bunch of masses for Easter, the my last Honors Recital, and my vocal jazz ensemble's concert: SpringSing: Cover Me Bad! It's my last concert with a bunch of talented ladies, and it feels so bittersweet. I'm so excited!

Here are a few photos that Meli took last night (she took over 400, but I don't think I'd be able to fit them all here)! Also below is the link to the stream of the recital. If you weren't able to make it, please take a look!

McClure Winner's Recital

Feeling extra grateful,

Taylor.