Once a star...

Vogel: for the joy of singing and... the applause!

...always a star! That's the story with Ned Vogel, Steds junior, who took to the stage of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center for the University Chorale's rendition of Handel's Messiah. Once again, it was a magical evening, and Vogel's performance not only was memorable but also prompted someone to proclaim "Vogel was a St. Ed's treasure on loan to the University." After all the fête-ing and post concert parties, I had a chance to catch up with this "living treasure," and here's what Vogel had to share...

St. Ed: I hear that you are in the Chorale’s Messiah. How did you land this gig?

Vogel: Basically what happens is the Chorale announces auditions for solos in Messiah. All the undergraduate and graduate voice majors show up on a Monday night in November and compete against each other (and in front of each other) to get the solos they want. It's pretty intense. Think "The Hunger Games", only we're killing each other off with our voices.

St. Ed: If I remember correctly, you have been in the Messiah before, correct?

Vogel: Yes, this is actually my third year as a soloist. This year I was lucky enough to land one of Messiah's best arias, "The Trumpet Shall Sound", which is a fantastic duet with a solo trumpet player. It was a lot of fun to perform.

St. Ed: Well, performing in the Messiah so many times, how do you keep it “real”?

Vogel: Well, what I like to do is mix things up from year to year. In the Baroque style of music, there's a lot of room for "ornaments"; eighteenth-century riffing, if you will. It's like seasoning a meal: a little of this, a little of that, a little somethin'-somethin' on top. I have my go-to ornaments, of course, but I like to keep myself on my toes and always try new things, sometimes even on the fly in the middle of the performance itself.

St.Ed: As a performer, who do you draw inspiration from? Jay Z?

Vogel: I always try to channel the musical depth and versatility of Michael Bolton, and of course the sheer power of Beyoncé. When it comes to ornaments, though, I typically look to the expert styling of Mariah Carey.

St. Ed: Don't forget Kenny G. He's someone to channel as well. Pardon the pun- on a different note-if I wanted to become "a patron of the arts", how would you suggest going about that?

Vogel: Look no further than the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center! They are always hosting amazing concerts, plays, and movies for all tastes and interests. It's a great place to go to whet your artistic appetite. And they have the best popcorn in the world, so you can also whet your regular appetite.

St. Ed: Congratulations, and continued well wishes for the future! How about a free ticket next time...just saying.