Chris Farley
Where are you originally from, and where do you now reside?
I am originally from just north of Birmingham in Morris, Alabama. I moved to New York City
at the end of 2019 to pursue a Master’s degree but because of COVID-19 I am back in
Morris.
Please tell us about your education, including where/what you studied at the time
of your BMC Scholarship win.
I did my undergraduate degree in Music at UAB (Univeristy of Alabama at Birmingham) and
studied with Dr. Won Cho. He was so crucial in my development and love of music,
specifically opera. I remember the day of the BMC Scholarship competition vividly! I was
in rehearsals with Opera Birmingham for their production of Romeo et Juliette by
Charles Gounod. This was my first professional role and first experience with a
professional company. I auditioned in the morning, drove straight to a chorus rehearsal
and once that was over I came straight back to listen to results. I was shocked to get
through to the finals! There were so many talented singers. I loved that about the BMC
Scholarship competition. Hearing great musicians from all disciplines is always a treat.
Are you currently working in the professional music arena? What role does music
play in your daily life? Are you involved in any community music organizations?
I am currently working on my Master’s of Music in vocal performance at the Mannes School
of Music at The New School in New York. Unfortunately, my classes have been virtual.
With that said, I am still working hard to find opportunities to sing. I am working to
audition for companies all over the world! I have a deep love for the German language
and culture, and the opportunities there seem to be a great next step for me if an
immediate career in the United States does not present itself. I am singing daily with a
solid weekly routine of lessons and coachings through Mannes. When I was in New
York I was part of the subbing community. This is a group of musicians that would sub
as staff singers for local churches when a member of their normal choir was out of town.
I still keep close the connection to Opera Birmingham. Their impact on me is
immeasurable. Keith Wolfe and the team there gave me my first professional role
alongside my teacher, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
If you had to pick one, what would you say is your most treasured music-related
accomplishment or accolade?
This one is tough!! Of course the BMC Scholarship competition is a treasured memory, but
I will say that it would probably be my graduate school auditions. I auditioned for 5
schools and all of them seemed promising. I remember my audition at Mannes because
I was leaving New York the same day, something like three hours after my audition. Bad
planning on my part, but I was in the middle of working with Opera Birmingham again in
their production of Tosca. I auditioned and sang as well as I could on the day then
hopped in a cab as quickly as I could! It wasn’t until about a month later that results
would start to come back. Mannes had offered me a FULL scholarship! I cried tears of
joy and knew in that moment I would be moving to New York.
What are your plans for future musical endeavors?
My future is so up in the air because of COVID, but even then I am optimistic. The opera
world will return, and based on trends in the industry, it will come back a more complete,
inclusive, and groundbreaking art form. I am auditioning for every Young Artist Program
that will hear me. Whether that is in the United States or abroad. I am going to keep
working to finish my degree at Mannes, which will be done in May of 2021!! After that, I
will continue studying and preparing music for recital, concert, and opera work. I am so
excited to see what the future holds for the opera business and for myself.
Can you tell us one favorite memory involving musical performance or study?
It would have to be the first performance of the Romeo et Juliette with Opera Birmingham. I
say that because my role had one scene in it, and it just so happened that the scene
was with the role that my voice teacher was playing! It is such a fond memory for me. I
ran up the side of the theatre from the wings and met my teacher on stage for our scene
together. He hugged me afterward and told me how proud he was and that I was a
“professional singer” now. I will never forget it.
What is your favorite piece you have ever played/sung?
This is such a tough question!! I have a few answers that immediately spring forward in my
mind, but this one comes with a sentimental tag, as well as it being a glorious song
cycle, so here goes.
After a few weeks at Mannes working with my former teacher, the late Ruth Falcon, I asked
her if I could prepare a cycle of Mahler songs and bring them to my lessons for the
coming weeks. The cycle was Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Geseller or Songs of the
Wayfarer. It is a stunningly beautiful work and is a complete examination of heartbreak
and grief. When I say it like that, it doesn’t seem like something that would be overly fun
to sing, but it is the way it fits in my voice and the way I connect with the text that makes
it such bliss to sing. Ruth was always so supportive of my singing Mahler. I turned to
these songs after I heard the news that she had passed away, and they were poignant,
uplifting, and full of memories of her. I’ll quote the end of the cycle,
Mahler had gone through a heartbreak of his own and was writing on the experience when
he wrote, “War alles, alles wieder gut! Alles! Alles!
Lieb und Leid, und Welt und Traum!” Or “And all, all was well once more! All! All!
Love and sorrow, and world and dream!” So when I sing these songs and I come to the
ending, I feel Ruth with me, and I sing all is well once more. Everything. Love and
sorrow, and the world and dreams.
What words of encouragement or advice do you have for students studying
music today?
There are so many things to say!
Firstly, life is too short to sing music you don’t love. If you don’t love or connect to a piece,
find something else. There is so much repertoire out there. You will sing it or play it
more enthusiastically and as a result, more beautifully if you absolutely adore the piece.
Secondly, you are enough, and the work you are doing is important. Continue to strive for
excellence, but don’t get so hung up on perfection that you don’t get out there and go
for it. Leonard Bernstein said, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan
and not quite enough time.”
Finally, I charge you to go into the music world and make it better than when you came in.
Be a mentor to younger musicians, be a vehicle for change, and ask the tough
questions. It is so important that this generation of musicians strives to continue
expanding classical music as we know it, making it relevant, and poignant, and
accessible! Continue to share and communicate with those around you that classical
music has something to offer for everyone. Whether that is a pretty tune to unwind to at
the end of the day or a story that starts a conversation, classical music is for everyone!
