I TOO, SING AMERICA SERIES: Mark Steven Doss, Bass-Baritone

07/05/11 • 40 min

Celebrated Bass-Baritone Mark Steven Doss will inaugurate the I TOO, SING AMERICA SERIES, a sequence of interviews celebrating the African-American male presence in the international firmament of opera and classical music. Mr. Doss will discuss the performances of his signature role of Méphistophélès in the Santa Fe Opera Company’s production of Faust and highlights of his great operatic career. A celebrated bass-baritone, his accomplishments include a Grammy Award for his work on the recording of Semele (Handel), and numerous engagements with the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. When he is not touring, Mr. Doss divides his time between residences in Toronto and Pennsylvania.

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THE OPERA DIVA SERIES-soprano Angela M. Brown

My dearest apologies to my listeners for the technical difficulties in the beginning of this interview. You find that these "real" moments actually add to the fun nature of this live conversation! Opera Diva, Angela M. Brown drops in on Patrick D. McCoy, The African-American Voice in Classical Music about her exciting career interest in the area of opera, including her program "Opera from a Sista's Point of View," he recent wedding in Paris and her future career goals. Angela Brown personifies the ideal American dramatic soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; shimmering, high pianissimos; and a charming personality larger than life. Her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in 2004 sparked a media excitement with reviews from The New York Times: "At last an Aida," the Associated Press: "she combines a potent, dusky lower register with a striking ability to spin out soft high notes of shimmering beauty. There's no doubt her voice is powerful enough for Verdi," CBS Evening News: "the future of opera has arrived," and features on the front page of The New York Times and in Oprah Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Classical Singer, Reader's Digest, and Psychology Today. In fall 2009, Angela received the Governor's Arts Award from the Governor of Indiana, a Spirit of the Prairie Award from Conner Prairie in Indiana, and was inducted into the Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame. Miss Brown is a trailblazer on a mission to bring operatic and classical vocal performance to a diverse audience. Her witty and inspired recital program titled "Opera from a Sistah's Point of View" dispels the myths of opera through lively commentary on opera plots and characters, show-stopping arias, poignant art songs and moving spirituals.

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THE MAESTRO SERIES-Dr. André J. Thomas

Dr. Andre J. Thomas drops in on Patrick D. McCoy, The African-American Voice in Classical Music to discuss his journey as one of the most sought after choral conductors in the world. André J. Thomas, the Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music, is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Choral Music Education at The Florida State University. A previous faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin, Dr. Thomas received his degrees from Friends University (B.A.), Northwestern University (M. M.), and the University of Illinois (D.M.A). He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division,and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). His international conducting credits are extensive. They include conductor/clinician for the International Federation of Choral Musicians, summer residency of the World Youth Choir in the Republic of China and the Philippines, winter residency of the World Youth Choir in Europe, and a premier performance by an American choir (The Florida State University Singers) in Vietnam. He has been the guest conductor of such distinguished orchestras and choirs as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in England, and guest Conductor for the Berlin Radio Choir in Germany. Since 1988 he has also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus. Thomas has also distinguished himself as a composer/arranger. Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimmon Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, and Heritage Music Company publish his compositions and arrangements.