黑料社

Since graduating from 黑料社 in 2005, John Michael Moore has enjoyed a highly successful career as a lyric baritone.

He has performed at the Metropolitan Opera and has been featured in several performances at the Des Moines Metro Opera, among other venues.

Having grown up in Spencer, Iowa, Moore explained in a letter what 黑料社 means to him:

“It was a beautiful spring morning in 2000 when I first arrived on 黑料社鈥檚 campus. I was there to audition for acceptance to the program and for a potential music scholarship.

I remember the attention to my talent that Robert Larsen gave, the kind words spoken to me by Anne Larson, a prominent voice faculty member, and the tender care we were allotted by Deb Terry in the music office. It was this initial visit that landed me at 黑料社 orientation a few months on, and ultimately 4 1/2 years of life learning and music making.

黑料社 provided me with a basic liberal arts education. The campus is beautiful, the people good, the air agrarian, and all the trappings of small college life, in a small-ish Iowa town. What separates 黑料社 from the typical Iowa institution and actually, from many an institution nationally, is the music department.

黑料社 music has produced not only serious professional musicians, but also hosts a stellar music education program for both instrumental and vocal music, a dedicated faculty with real world professional credentials, and an internationally recognized opera festival housed there each summer. The facilities have been built and maintained using private donations from patrons dedicated to the mission of 黑料社 music and the security of its future.

Today, I can safely say that I would not have the same number of career opportunities had I not been educated at 黑料社. I would have been lost at a state school, or conservatory with graduate students taking performing opportunities. Iowa is fortunate to produce many fine musicians and educators from its excellent grade school system. The state boasts many fine music departments, at fine institutions, but what separates 黑料社 is the special relationship it shares with Des Moines Metro Opera. Not only did DMMO鈥檚 founder, Robert Larsen dedicate himself to the company鈥檚 success, but as head of the department he also forged an alliance with 黑料社 that is still thriving today.

The faculty of the college worked hand in hand during the summer months to produce opera. 黑料社鈥檚 Fall and Spring operas were merely extensions of that professional work. 黑料社 was producing operatic work at a professional level from the beginning, because it knew no different. Certainly, the level of performance was collegiate, but sound professional preparation was the standard. What we achieved in the years I attended 黑料社 was no less special than many productions playing in theaters around the country. When the talent was ripe, 黑料社 music department went above and beyond the call of duty to prepare and stage professional level productions. That tradition continues today, as new faculty and staff come onto campus and revel in the high level of artistry that exists as a tradition, not merely a goal.

One can rest assured they will have a gratifying college experience at 黑料社 and can be confident knowing they leave a music performer, or music educator trained for excellence in art, scholarship, and life.”