Posted on Oct. 10: McMaster singer, visual artist receives Opera Award

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Stanton-Award—McGuirl-03_.jpg” caption=”Loralee McGuirl”]Loralee McGuirl, a fifth-year singer and visual artist, was honoured by Opera Ontario with The Christine Stanton Memorial Award at a performance of The Barber of Seville in Hamilton.

Established by friends and family in memory of a former Opera Ontario chorus member and local journalist, the scholarship is awarded annually to a chorister who demonstrates the standards of collegiality and good humour exemplified by Christine during her association with the opera chorus. The monies are to be used to pursue further musical training and aid in the pursuance of a professional career.

McGuirl has sung with Opera Ontario for two seasons and is an active member of the Hamilton music community. A former member of Vox Nouveaux, McGuirl is also a member of the McMaster Choir. Her voice professor at McMaster is Lita Classen.

McGuirl has received many awards during her years at McMaster. For three consecutive years, she was the recipient of The Bill and Helen Haight Award, a scholarship for a music student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in German Lied or opera repertoire. The donors of this award, Bill and Helen Haight were in attendance at a recital performed by McGuirl last spring on campus. Art collectors themselves, they were impressed not only with Loralee's singing, but with her paintings which were on display at the performance. McGuirl has also been awarded The University (Senate) Scholarship and is on the Dean's Honour List.

Photo caption: Janet Ross-Fichtner, right, presents the Christine Stanton Memorial Award to Loralee McGuirl at a performance of The Barber of Seville. Photo credit: Nancy Handrigan