Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College names seven finalists in the third annual Tulsa Sings!, a vocal competition embedded with the professional orchestra. This year’s finalists include six soloists, and a family trio and range from a doctor, two classically trained singers, three individuals involved in community theater, and three individuals still in high school.

Selected from nearly 40 in-person callbacks, the finalists are Reese Buchert, Doug Demaree, Chiara Miller, Mike Pryor, James Ross, Emily Thresher, and the Blakely Family: Connor Blakely, Douglas Blakely, and Charlotte Blakely. The Tulsa Sings! finalists will be featured in the TTCU Pops concert “You’re Doin’ Fine, Oklahoma.”

The performances begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4 at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education on the TCC Southeast Campus located at 81st Street and Highway 169. The 2019-2020 Signature Symphony Pops series is sponsored by TTCU Federal Credit Union and the Tulsa Sings! media sponsor is KOTV. 

One of the designers of Tulsa Sings! is Scott Coulter, a New York City vocalist. He helped develop the vocal competition, now in its third year, and is instrumental in selecting and mentoring the finalists through the vocal competition. The finalists, along with Signature Symphony at TCC, will celebrate the collaborations of Rodgers and Hammerstein, two of Broadway’s most legendary figures with “You’re Doin’ Fine, Oklahoma.”

“The annual Tulsa Sings! has blossomed into a Signature Symphony tradition,” said Coulter. “While we highlight different composers each year, one consistent theme is showcasing individuals with Tulsa ties. The level of talent is unbelievable, and you – our audience – get to participate by helping select an audience favorite.”

At each performance, the audience favorite as selected by audience members is announced at the end of each evening for special recognition. The Tulsa Sings! grand prize winner is selected by a panel of judges and announced following Saturday’s performance. In addition, the grand prize winner will have the opportunity to be featured in a Signature Symphony concert during the 2020-2021 season.

Buchert, a Jenks High School sophomore, is a member of the Trojanaire Vocal Music Show Choir and has performed with local theatre companies and Tulsa Opera. Demaree is a music leader and vocalist in his church and has been involved in Tulsa’s long running holiday tradition, “A Christmas Carol” musical.

Miller, a Fort Gibson High School senior, is a member of the Tulsa Theatre Young Artist Program and a 2019 Discovery Award finalist. Pryor is a long-time Tulsan and Jenks High School graduate and was an original member of Tulsa’s own Forever Plaid.

Ross began his medical career more than 20 year ago but his music interest started at a young age with classical training in violin and vocal performance. Thresher, a Jenks High School senior, is a member of the Trojanaire Vocal Music Show Choir and a 2018 Tulsa Sings! finalist.

The Blakely Family trio consists of a father, mother and son. All have classical vocal training. The mother, Charlotte, performs as a bassoonist for Signature Symphony at TCC. The father and son have community theater and vocal performance experience.

Signature Symphony at TCC is committed to providing rich musical experiences through live performances, as well as music therapy, music education, and community outreach. Each year Signature Symphony musicians introduce Tulsa area students to music through educational programs for early childhood to college, free open rehearsals, and discounted coupons for families and students. This professional orchestra also reaches the community through Helpful Harmonies for Wellness, a music therapy program that slows the onset of memory loss diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s by focusing on sensory friendly performances in nursing homes and memory care centers.

Our Open Rehearsals are free and allow music lovers of all ages to enjoy educational interactions with our conductor, musicians and guest artists. Leading up to each Classics concert, the Open Rehearsals are on the Thursday before the Saturday concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the VanTrease PACE on the TCC Southeast Campus. The remaining Open Rehearsals for the 2019-2020 are March 12 and April 23.

A special Flex Season Package is being offered for a combination of the remaining TTCU Pops and Signature Classics concerts for the 2019-2020 season. The package provides a substantial savings over buying individual tickets. To purchase tickets, call 918-595-7777.

This project is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.