Florence_Birdwell

Florence Birdwell

Florence Birdwell

American educator, musician, and singer (1924–2021)

Florence Gillam Birdwell (September 3, 1924 – February 15, 2021),[1] sometimes referred to as Flo Birdwell, was an American educator, musician, and singer. She taught musical theater and opera singing for more than six decades. She served as a professor of voice at the Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University from 1946 to 2013, and afterwards periodically teaching master classes as a professor emerita.

In 2024, the National Association of Teachers of Singers honored Birdwell's career and contributions by naming the first prize of its annual National Musical Theatre Competition "The Florence Birdwell Award." The competition, held in New York City and featuring O'Hara as honorary host, took place on Jan. 8, 2024.[2]

Life and career

She not only taught me to sing technically, but taught me to sing from the soul about what a song actually means.

Don't sing it if ya can't mean it!

— Kristin Chenoweth[3]

Born Florence Gillam Hobin in Douglas, Arizona, Birdwell was the daughter of Warner and Grace (Gillam) Hobin.[1] She was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Lawton, Oklahoma.[1] She studied voice under Inez Silberg at Oklahoma City University (OCU), where she earned undergraduate (1945)[1] and graduate degrees.[4] After additional instruction, Birdwell returned to OCU where she joined the voice faculty.[4]

Upon her death in 2021 at the age of 96, The New York Times noted that during her 67 years on as an OCU faculty member, she established "herself as a dramatic, no-nonsense mentor. She helped aspiring musical theater and opera singers unlock the mysteries of captivating an audience, but she could also make her students weep with her candid feedback on their progress."[5]

Birdwell received the state's highest arts honor, the Governor's Arts Award in 1985 from Oklahoma Governor George Nigh. In 1990, OCU established the Florence Birdwell Vocal Scholarship Fund in her honor. In 2004, she was recognized as a Member Laureate of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity for women.[6] In March 2007, Starry Night, a musical tribute to her lengthy teaching career, was held as a fundraising event to fund an endowed chair in Birdwell's name at the university.[4][7][8]

Birdwell's students have included Kristin Chenoweth,[9] Kelli O'Hara,[9] Lara Teeter[4] and Miss America 1981 Susan Powell.[9]

References

  1. [1]
    Richard Sandomir (February 25, 2021). "Florence Birdwell, Singing Teacher to Broadway Stars, Dies at 96". The New York Times.
  2. [2]
    "2024 NATS National Musical Theatre Competition". issuu. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  3. [3]
    Roberts, Michael J. (August 3, 2009). "Interview with Kristin Chenoweth". ChicagoPride.com. GoPride.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  4. [4]
    "Famous Oklahoma City University Alumni Perform". The Campus Online. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: OCU Student Publications. February 11, 2007. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  5. [5]
    Sandomir, Richard (February 25, 2021). "Florence Birdwell, Singing Teacher to Broadway Stars, Dies at 96". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  6. [6]
    "SAI Member Laureate". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  7. [7]
    di Molina, Tirso (March 31, 2007). "Report: Chenoweth and O'Hara in Oklahoma City!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  8. [8]
    Rogers, Rick (March 25, 2007). "Students to honor professor". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  9. [9]
    Kellow, Brian (October 2010). "On the Beat". Opera News. Vol. 75, no. 4. New York City. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
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