COVID has presented to us all so many challenges this year. As someone who rehearses and conducts live musical theatre and opera, the challenges seemed at times almost insurmountable. Thankfully, we have an excellent Sound Recording Technology department within the school of music that singlehandedly saved the opera this Spring. Led by Professor Mike Caporizzo, the SRT students first recorded the orchestra, closely following all health and safety guidelines, then recorded the singers with playback (masked, of course!), and then brilliantly put the whole thing together. Mike and his students gave so much of their time and talent to this piece, and I am forever grateful. This Spring, The Magic Flute is truly a shining example of inter-departmental collaboration, and showcases how the School of Music is combining its efforts to create great art.
– Christopher Zemliauskas