03/20/2025
🎶✨Q&A with mezzo-soprano Courtney Fletcher! ✨🎶 Get to know Courtney before this weekend's art song KC recital, "I Hold My Soul: Music by Women Composers". Courtney is a local artist, joining us from KU, where she is a member of the voice faculty.
Q: Who is your favorite song composer?
A: I have a deep love for Clara Schumann songs. Her humility in composing music (specifically songs) shows in the amount of restraint she uses in her art songs. The songs aren't overly fussy or dramatic, but highlight the texts perfectly in text setting and melodic line. Since she was a virtuosic pianist, the piano textures can be challenging, yet provide an incredible pallete of color and tempi for singer and pianists.
Q: What is your favorite thing about performing art song?
A: Art song provides the opportunity for unique storytelling and performance. It's so wonderful working with one or two other people to make beautiful music. It challenges me to be present and engaged at all moments and really listen to what my colleagues are doing. Growing up, I didn't enjoy reading poetry on a deep level. Through song, I've come to appreciate the structure and the exactness of poetry and how we can use music to enhance it.
Q: What do you like most about introducing art song to new audiences?
A: My favorite reaction to receive from audiences is "I want to learn music by that composer" or "I've never heard of them before, I want to learn more"! It's like discovering a new kind of flower or gem. If it can bring more joy, new ideas, or beauty into someone's life, then I feel like I've done my job.
Q: How did you overcome your stage fright/how do you cope with nerves before a performance?
A: Honestly, the nerves never leave. The adrenaline can be a helpful tool if it's not too overwhelming. I try to picture each performance as a moment to share with my colleagues, the audience, and myself. I try not to put pressure on myself to be perfect, but rather live in the beauty of the moment. I really love singing, so I just have to remind myself of that fact even when I'm nervous!
Q: Who are some of your favorite artists outside of classical music?
A: I love jazz and big band music. Artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Billie Holiday are so inspiring to listen to because of the honest expression of the text and music. Even though it's a different genre, it challenges me to find those moments of expression in classical music, even in different languages. I also used to tap dance and watch videos of dancers like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. That really helped my understanding of rhythm when learning music!
We hope to see you this weekend at Asbury United Methodist Church, for our recital "I Hold My Soul: Music by Women Composers", at 7pm on Saturday, March 22nd!
