Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2023 13 musical education. On campus, she had a surprise "so audition" right away — and got placed! Parker was on stage as Zinnia in Chabrier's L'étoile, the opera's first performance in 39 years. It's a little dystopian and satirical, making it much different from the usual public perspective of opera. With its frequent jabs at society, the director would oen ask Parker if her feelings as an American were accurate to the story and performance (they were). is stage wasn't the only place she noticed differences from her education in the United States. In the UK, opera students are oen separate from their other musical counterparts, rarely interacting with students outside their program. is is completely different in the United States, especially in postgraduate school. It's also common for UK schools to welcome guest directors, which doesn't happen oen in the US. Parker was determined to get involved in anything and everything she could. She was an alto chorister in Bach's BWV 12, 21, 101, 103 & 129 with the Glasgow Bach Cantata Project; Verdi's Requiem with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus; recorded Zadok the Priest with the RCS Coronation Choir; in the "Neptune" Chorus for Holst's Planets, and part of the SSAA Chorus for Cantique de Jean Racine, both with the RCS Orchestra Lab Chorus. She was also a soloist in a number of performances, including singing the "Agnus Dei, Domine Deus" solo in Vivaldi's Gloria with the RCS Symphony and Chorus; "Night of French Mélodie" Masters Voice Concert; "Liederabend: 19th Century Female Composers Concert" at the Glasgow Art Club Gallery; and in Bach's BWV 103 with the Glasgow Bach Cantata Project. She received top markings for her solo performance of her Graduate Masters Recital, "A Night Under the Stars," and was a soloist and finalist for the Elgar Speeding Memorial Lieder Prize at the RCS. When reflecting on the things learned while at school, especially abroad, much of the experience is introspective. "It was such a cool thing to do for myself," Parker said. "I didn't see this happening at all." In the years following lockdown, it was an unknown when people would be comfortable with overseas travel, let alone studying abroad. But Parker knew that studying at RCS was something she had to do for herself, both personally and professionally. It's not easy—living in a new place, in a different country, surrounded by people you don't know. But once Parker made up her mind to go, everything started falling into place (visa trouble aside). In her year abroad, she's learned what's important to her and what she wants going forward. She's had a good worldly experience, even outside music. It's important to experience different cultures. It's exciting to meet people outside your comfort zone, to learn their different traditions and beliefs. Parker has embraced it full-on, even when it was confusing at first. Where else could she participate in cèilidh or learn to sing in Gaelic? Parker isn't done with Scotland or the UK yet, or vice versa. Upcoming projects include participation in the Dorset Opera Festival Chorus south of London, and the 2024 world premiere of an opera about the first King of Scots, Robert the Bruce, by RCS PhD composition student, Rakhat- Bi Abdyssagin. e nine-person cast will perform at the Glasgow Cathedral, St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh, and Dunfermline Abbey (where King Robert is buried). Parker doesn't know where she'll be next year, and rather than be anxious, is excited. "is worked out, and I didn't know if it would," she said. "So anything is possible." Angela Silver is Grant Director for the International Study Grant for Graduate Students, and an initiate of the Sigma Omega chapter at Susquehanna University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and a Master of Science in Publishing. She is the recipient of the Sword of Honor and Rose of Honor. Parker Millspaugh is an initiate of the Alpha Iota chapter at the University of Oklahoma. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education, and is studying for a Masters of Music in Vocal Studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is recipient of the Sword of Honor and Ruby Sword of Honor, and is the 2022 recipient of a Summer Music Scholarship and the International Study Grant for Graduate Students. SAI Philanries, Inc. Singing with the RCS Coronation Choir Singing with the RCS Coronation Choir for the recording of Handel's for the recording of Handel's Zadok the Priest Zadok the Priest.

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