Contact:
Christina Welch, Junior League of San Antonio
210-479-2778
christinawelch@sbcglobal.net
Another year, another big winner!
Junior League of San Antonio announces Marjorie Owens
of Houston as the winner of the 47th Annual Southwest
District and Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions
Eric Schmidt of San Antonio places third
In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council, the Junior League of San
Antonio, Inc. is pleased to announce that Marjorie Owens, a Soprano from Houston, placed first
in the 47th Annual Southwest District and Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions, held February
17-18 at St. Mary’s Hall and Laurie Auditorium. Owens moves forward to the next phase of
competition—an audition in New York for a spot in the Metropolitan Opera in March.
Placing second in the competition was Marie Thomas, Soprano, from Waco; with third
place going to Eric Schmidt, Tenor, from San Antonio.
The tradition of producing the Metropolitan Opera Regional Preliminary and Final
Auditions in San Antonio for the Southwest Region began with Mrs. Edgar Tobin. She was able
to secure this honor through her strong ties to the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. (JLSA), her
association as a founding member of the Metropolitan Opera National Council and her love for
the opera.
The Metropolitan Opera’s San Antonio Southwest Regional Finals have produced more
than 30 national finalists, with many joining the permanent roster of singers at the Met. The
Southwest Regional Finalist in 2004, Laquita Mitchell, went on to claim first place in New York.
Judges for this year’s competition were Richard Pearlman, Director of the Lyric Opera
Center for American Artists/Young Artists Program, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Jeremy Geffen,
Vice President of Artistic Administration, St. Louis Symphony and Clifford Cranna, Musical
Administrator for the San Francisco Opera. Stephen Steiner from the Boston Lyric Opera was
the New York Metropolitan Opera judge in attendance for the finals on Sunday. Participants
were accompanied by Tom Jaber of Rice University.
Master of Ceremonies was Bill McCrary. Presiding over the auditions from the
Metropolitan Opera National Council was Mrs. William H. Lester, Jr. and a committee of
dedicated volunteers from the Junior League of San Antonio.
For more information or to find out more about next year’s audition, please call (210)
240–6469.