Musical couple preps for recital
Student couple creates performance filled with Broadway songs and a touch of classical
Andrea Benda
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Arts
Junior Kris Hiett's cell phone rings with her boyfriend's operatic voice.
Hiett and boyfriend senior Aaron Johnson's relationship revolves around music. The two have performed in chamber choir and orchestra together, and they have spent the last few months preparing for a joint voice recital, which will be held Friday at 4 p.m. in Conrad Recital Hall.
"They've been preparing literally for months," said sophomore Kristina Berger, one of their accompanists. "I get to see the technical aspect of the development of [their voices]. It's like seeing an artist mix paint before painting a masterpiece."
The couple, who has been dating for about a year and a half, say they have enjoyed working together.
"I like working with him versus someone else," Hiett said. "I'm not as self conscious with him. I know he's going to be honest."
Both were "a little worried" that performing together might "come off as cheesy," Johnson said.
But Berger said she thinks their relationship will make the recital even stronger.
"When they combine it's just magical," she said. "Especially with the romantic songs, their attachment to each other will be so obvious."
Neither Hiett nor Johnson is required to do a voice recital this semester. Johnson majors in string bass and will perform his senior bass recital later in the semester. Hiett said she hopes to use the opportunity to prepare for her own senior recital, which she will give next year.
"I get really stage fright," Hiett said. "That'll be perfect, having someone else there with me [before I have to do it myself]."
Johnson said he had considered performing a voice recital for a while and decided to follow through because he works harder on his music when preparing for a performance.
Instructor of Music Melissa Osmond, with whom both take voice lessons, said both optional and shared recitals are rare.
"I think it's wonderful," she said. "Anytime you can sing in front of an audience is great."
Berger agreed: "It's something they decided to put together. It was their idea … They are going so beyond what is required of them. It shows a true dedication to art and music."
Each singer will perform about 20 minutes of solo pieces, Hiett said.
They chose their songs independently, but many of them flow together or share themes, she said.
"We're going to try to develop some sort of coherency with the flow of songs and play off each other," Johnson said.
They will also perform a song, with Johnson on the string bass, Hiett singing and Berger on the piano.
"It's really hard," Hiett said of the trio, which they have already recorded for Johnson's graduate school applications. "It's difficult getting the timing right."
With the help of some other students, they will also perform a scene from the musical "Sweeney Todd."
Because they are performing an optional recital, they had a great deal of flexibility with their song choices, and eventually selected a lot of musical theater, Johnson said.
"It's been a lot of fun [picking out songs]," Johnson said. "Some of them would be what you'd consider art songs. There's a lot of Broadway."
Kris and Aaron's Recital is on Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at Conrad Recital Hall.
Hillsdale College Collegian
Hiett and boyfriend senior Aaron Johnson's relationship revolves around music. The two have performed in chamber choir and orchestra together, and they have spent the last few months preparing for a joint voice recital, which will be held Friday at 4 p.m. in Conrad Recital Hall.
"They've been preparing literally for months," said sophomore Kristina Berger, one of their accompanists. "I get to see the technical aspect of the development of [their voices]. It's like seeing an artist mix paint before painting a masterpiece."
The couple, who has been dating for about a year and a half, say they have enjoyed working together.
"I like working with him versus someone else," Hiett said. "I'm not as self conscious with him. I know he's going to be honest."
Both were "a little worried" that performing together might "come off as cheesy," Johnson said.
But Berger said she thinks their relationship will make the recital even stronger.
"When they combine it's just magical," she said. "Especially with the romantic songs, their attachment to each other will be so obvious."
Neither Hiett nor Johnson is required to do a voice recital this semester. Johnson majors in string bass and will perform his senior bass recital later in the semester. Hiett said she hopes to use the opportunity to prepare for her own senior recital, which she will give next year.
"I get really stage fright," Hiett said. "That'll be perfect, having someone else there with me [before I have to do it myself]."
Johnson said he had considered performing a voice recital for a while and decided to follow through because he works harder on his music when preparing for a performance.
Instructor of Music Melissa Osmond, with whom both take voice lessons, said both optional and shared recitals are rare.
"I think it's wonderful," she said. "Anytime you can sing in front of an audience is great."
Berger agreed: "It's something they decided to put together. It was their idea … They are going so beyond what is required of them. It shows a true dedication to art and music."
Each singer will perform about 20 minutes of solo pieces, Hiett said.
They chose their songs independently, but many of them flow together or share themes, she said.
"We're going to try to develop some sort of coherency with the flow of songs and play off each other," Johnson said.
They will also perform a song, with Johnson on the string bass, Hiett singing and Berger on the piano.
"It's really hard," Hiett said of the trio, which they have already recorded for Johnson's graduate school applications. "It's difficult getting the timing right."
With the help of some other students, they will also perform a scene from the musical "Sweeney Todd."
Because they are performing an optional recital, they had a great deal of flexibility with their song choices, and eventually selected a lot of musical theater, Johnson said.
"It's been a lot of fun [picking out songs]," Johnson said. "Some of them would be what you'd consider art songs. There's a lot of Broadway."
Kris and Aaron's Recital is on Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at Conrad Recital Hall.
Hillsdale College Collegian
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