12. PERSUASION – The Persuasion of Marian Anderson
Whether at home, school, or church, Marian made singing the center of her childhood. She sang solos in her high school chorus and took the lead in her church’s junior and senior choirs. By the time she was a teenager, she sang with amazing strength and could sing any music put in front of her. Her fame grew and soon she was earn- ing money as a performer for larger events. As a teenager, she joined the Philadelphia Choral Society and sang at colleges and churches throughout the region. Word of her talent continued to spread. After being refused admission to a music academy due to her skin color, she found an opera teacher who took her under his wing. He helped Marian increase her vocal range. But just as importantly, he helped her win a prominent singing competition in New York City. Her prize was an appearance with an orchestra in an outdoor stadium. She made sure all eight thousand enthu- siastic spectators felt her vocal power.
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