Campus Currents

Musician Brings Home the Gold

Senior music education major Jeremy Irland won the gold medal in voice in the Young Artist’s Competition at the 59th annual Musicfest Northwest. It was Irland’s second year performing at the May competition, formerly known as the Spokane Music Festival. Last year he brought home the silver medal. He sang at the competition between his performances as the pirate king in wwcdrama’s production of The Pirates of Penzance.

As the gold medal winner at MusicFest Northwest, Irland won a $250 scholarship and was a featured performer for the Young Artist Concert held by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra at the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center.

His accomplishments seem incredible considering that four years ago Irland had no interest in singing. He was a classical guitarist when he fractured his right hand in a wakeboarding accident, eliminating a future career playing the guitar. While he was studying to become a music teacher, his voice began to draw attention.

It wasn’t until his junior year that he began to consider the possibility of a singing career. Matthew James, chair of the Music Department, told him he could have a professional career if he wanted it.

Now Irland performs professionally and his favorite works are religious or spiritually inspired. “They’re where music and belief come together,” he says.

In January 2005 he will join the Washington East Opera Company, performing in The Barber of Seville. He has previously performed with the company in Verdi’s La Traviata.

Irland is also trying to decide between graduate school and a teaching career. He plans to continue performing, no matter which option he chooses. He now believes that breaking his hand may have been an act of Divine Providence. W

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