Stephen Anthony Ray

Dear Friends

Last week in New York City, I had two separate auditions - the one on Thursday was for the Lindemann Young Artist Program of the Metropolitan Opera, a graduate school - like program for extremely talented young opera singers that utilizes the vast resources of the Met to prepare them for succesful careers in singing. Sunday’s audition, however, was for the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California; it’s a two month summer academy centered around intense musical training for young artists. 463 singers applied and auditioned for the 22 spots that were to be chosen. I am happy to report that I will be one of the 22 next summer in Santa Barbara, covering the role of Marcello in the Academy’s production of Puccini’s La Boheme, as well as participating voice lessons with Marilyn Horne and master classes with many world-class musicians and clinicians. I thank God for this amazing opportunity and pray that he would use my talent to help draw others closer to himself. Thank you, dear friends, for all of your support. I will post again soon once I hear back the Met. God bless.

SRay

I’m back in the Big Apple. And it’s absolutely phenomenal. I’ve been to Queens, Harlem, Manhattan and have gotten to experience a great chunk of New York life. My auditions on Sunday went really well (I got a call back). I’ll hear from them in a couple of weeks as to whether or not I got into the Academy of the West. I’m frying chicken for my friend Jorge Roman’s family tonight. And last night, at the Met, I saw Don Carlo, the longest Verdi opera (4 hours). It was amazing! Since it was so late afterward, I stayed in Manhattan with Andrew Shepherd. They’re all at work right now and I’m here by myself. So far, so good.

Funny thing - seeing all these people all over the place reminds me that I have a mission ahead of me - to live the Gospel (and preach it, where able) so that people will look beneath my surface and see the thing that is really under me - Jesus Christ.

SRay

Great news! This weekend was the NATS Regional Competition, which comes every fall and was quite competitive this year (NATS, by the way, stands for the National Association of Teachers in Singing). I did well this weekend, advancing to the finals and winning both the Upper Division Musical Theatre and Senior Men’s Classical categories. Furthermore, I received the Governor’s Award, given to the student (in the advanced categories, i.e. upperclassmen; grad students) who most exhibits potential for a professional career. It was a really big honor. Thanks for all of your prayers and support - and congratulations to all of my colleagues at Ouachita for a great competition and representing yourselves, Ouachita, and our Lord and Savior so well.

SRay

Well folks -

Today might have been the most amazing day ever. Earlier today, I competed in the final round for the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Regional Voice Competition in the Senior Men’s Classical category and the Upper Division Musical Theatre category. I won first place in both ($45 per category). More than that, though, I was awarded with the Governor’s Award, a disinguished honor awarded to the singer (only in advanced categories) who most exhibits potential for a professional career. That was a biggie ($100). Ok, that was enough. Then, I got to hang out with some of my music friends (all of whom are phenomenal, musically and friendship-wise) before buying and gilling steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs for the Arkansas game, along with Alan Greenwood’s nachos and Jordan and Herbe’s wonderful help. Arkansas beat Tennessee 31-14! Oh, and as cherry on the cake - Texas lost. That really isn’t the big deal, except that these guys from Texas were rooting for Tennessee (for the mere desire of wanting the Hogs to lose) and lost themselves to Kansas, an unranked team. Ahhhhh - justice, ’tis a beautiful thing. Today was just a good. I sang better than ever. I had fun. Arkansas won. Today was written with the favor and blessing of God. I think that days like this are a reminder of far better things to come in the next world.

Andrew, Melody, Valerie, Lee, Megan - congratulations. Thanks to great friends for all of their support.

SRay

SRay

Ok, guess what!? My first ever concert is coming up next Sunday night, November 5, 2006 in Waxahachie, Texas at Waxahachie Bible Church. I really hope that you can come - but if you can’t, send your prayers. God bless and love you all.

SRay