An Interview with Charles Reid By Natasha Barbieri Tenor Charles Reid has sung in opera For starters, I was very blessed with houses and concert stages around the important opportunities at many world. He is the host of the “This stages in my career. I did the bulk of Opera Life” podcast. my auditioning while working at the MET in New York City. There were As of last year, you became the so many auditions that they became director of vocal studies at Andrews almost as normal as ordering University. Was teaching something breakfast. One person offered the that you were always interested in observation that I would be doing pursuing? very well to get one offer out of every ten auditions. This took some stress I come from a long line of educators off. Later in the process, Philip and always assumed I might end up Langridge gave me profound advice. transitioning into teaching when the He basically said I should only be performance career was no longer interested in working for companies viable, but finding and accepting the and producers who get what I have to job at this stage in life came as a offer…and that there was a giant genuine surprise to me. The career world of opera out there with many was going along just fine, but I found people who would get me. He was myself increasingly yearning for a right…on both points. situation that would allow me to be home with my family on a regular Which character that you have basis. performed do you most identify with? And which character do you What do you think is the most feel is the complete opposite of who important thing a teacher can teach you are? his student? Performing Don Jose (Carmen) Singing is not about beautiful sounds, brought out the most in me on many rather it is about actually levels. The integrity of his emotional saying/communicating something. In journey became hard to distinguish other words, be an artist, not a singer. from real emotions at the time. The role that feels most foreign to me is Duca (Rigoletto). Simply put, I’m not Becoming successful in opera means a Don Juan, and trying to understand facing rejection over and over in that character, even like it, was a auditions and learning to manage challenge. your nerves in a consistent way. What drove your success? Have you ever heard a role for thought hit me that we needed another voice type that you wish you something like this in opera. There are could sing? (male or female) so many opera singers out there with real careers that the majority of the I won’t make a list of roles I wish fell opera-going community has never into the tenor repertoire, but I think even heard of. With this show, I the question alludes to something that wanted them to have a way to get to is very common. During the rehearsal know us, and perhaps, they’d also process, performers often draw near want to go see our work. I didn’t plan to the roles of their colleagues. We it, but aside audience has grown up in see, hear, and experience them over college students. I regularly receive and over. It is not uncommon to have emails from people thanking me for memorized lines from another role, the show and explaining that “This without trying. If only it were so easy Opera Life” has taught them more for the role you are actually doing. about what a singing career is like, especially in than any other Opera singers, in general, are resource. connecting more to their fans these days through social media. How did What has been the most surreal you get involved with podcasting? moment in your career thus far?

I produce a podcast titled “This Opera I’m not really sure how to answer Life”. In truth, the transition to this. In truth, I think the simple fact teaching has made it very challenging that I’ve been fortunate enough to to keep up with the podcast, but I have a singing career and provide for have a healthy backlog of interviews my family via that career, this is the and intend to start publishing again most surreal of all – and I’m eternally sometime this year. The podcast idea thankful. was born shortly after relocating back to the U.S. from Germany. I was Which composer’s music do you feel working at the MET in NYC and fits your voice the best? commuting from my home in P.A. So I started downloading podcasts to It has changed several times, and will keep me company. During these long likely change again in the years to drives, I heard interviews with actors, come. At the moment, I’m feeling at comedians, and others and often home with Bizet, Mendelssohn, found their life stories to be so Dvorak, and Puccini. interesting. It made me want to get to know their work more, and the Do you prefer to perform opera or cast’ your favorite opera, who would oratorio? be singing?

The answer is ‘YES’. I’ve been I could come up with a list of famous fortunate enough to have a career singers, but the truth is, many of my active in both fields, and I love them favorite performances that I have seen both for different reasons. or been in were with little-known casts. I think I’m in favor of a great For the 10th anniversary of Les cast that really works together as an Miserables, there was a concert with ensemble. a ‘dream’ cast. If you could ‘dream

Learn more about Charles Reid at Charles-reid.com

Camilla Kerslake

You founded the charity “Sing for Miserables.” What was that Breast Cancer”. Tell us what experience like? inspired you to get involved with this important cause. Being on the west end was one of my career highlights. I remember being In the summer of 2011, my mother more excited stepping backstage at was diagnosed with breast cancer. I the Queen’s theatre than I was singing decided to take a sabbatical to care for on the pitch at Wembley. It was also a her and during that time {which, in completely new challenge, something the end, was about 2 years} to really get my teeth into. we discovered first-hand how healing singing and music could be to a About the character of Cosette cancer patient. herself, many people tend to see her as being less complex than Eponine. I formed my Sing 2 Beat Breast Having played her, do you agree or Cancer choir to get breast cancer disagree? Also tell us what sufferers, past and present, singing similarities, if any, you share with and to raise lots of money for Breast her? Cancer Campaign the best way I knew how! Cosette is the most central character in the piece. She is the cause of You played the role of Cosette Marius’s, Fantine’s, Jean Val John opposite Nick Jonas in the and to a lesser extent Eponine’s 25thanniversary production of “Les actions throughout the musical. Yet she’s only on stage for 22 minutes!

Such a short time to prove to the almost fatherly in his encouragement audience that she is worth the other and support of me on stage. characters adoration and sacrifice. She is soft and loving but underneath that You currently have collaborated with is made of very strong stuff indeed Blake on a single of “You Raise Me and endures what many could not. Up” to be released in support of your charity. What made you choose that Cosette and I are polar opposites. song? Playing her wasn’t easy. Sometimes, It’s a gorgeous uplifting song. during rehearsals, her placidity Everyone knows and loves it and I really irritated me. If she was a friend thought it suited our message of mine I’d be like “Run away from perfectly. your father and marry! Your discovery story was very You’ve performed with the tenors, interesting in that it showed an Alfie Boe, , and incredible amount of dedication on . What was special your part. What advice would you about each one of them? have for young singers who are trying to break into the business but I was very new and inexperienced so far have been rejected? when I did the summer tour with Russell. At the same time, I was Just keep going. The most successful in rehearsals for Les Mis, touring with people in the music business are the the Priests and trying to ones who stick at it. Try to have make my second album so my overall fingers in as many pies as possible so feeling of that period was one when one musical bubble bursts (and of enormous stress and pressure they always do!) you’ll still have which is a shame. enough going on to keep you going

Everyone loves Alfie! What can I Are you still actively training your say? His voice is beyond powerful, I voice? have no idea where he gets his strength/energy. He sure gave the I’ll never stop training. Your voice is musical theatre actors a singing a muscle just like any in your body. masterclass! The more you use it the better it becomes. Also, it's constantly Andrea has a very soft, relaxing growing and changing. There are so energy. It’s peaceful (but also many things I can do vocally now that thrilling) to perform with him. He was I wouldn’t have dreamed of even 3

3 years ago! British public. Let’s face it unless you’re singing Gilbert and Sullivan or You won ITV’s “Sing if you can” the national anthem, English is not competition. As someone who made the language universally expected it in a more old-fashioned way, what from a classical singer. did you think of the reality TV experience? And if you hadn’t been When you first hear a song that you successfully discovered by Gary want to cover, do you immediately Barlow, do you think you would have imagine it in your style, or do you tried out for the X Factor or have to play around with other Britain’s Got Talent? arrangers?

I did Sing if you can because it was a I normally have a try myself first and charity show. In the end, I think we fiddle about with keys, tempos, and won nearly £400,000 and I feel very stuff. Once I’ve played it through a proud of that. It was blimin’ good fun few times and there’s a framework in too! place I take it to an arranger and they I find reality “talent” shows do their musical magic! quite demoralizing if I’m honest. It doesn’t matter how well you sing How do you stay healthy while on the if you’ve not got a good enough sob road touring? (both physically and story you won’t get through. I vocally) feel sorry for the way the contestants are treated and all the empty promises Touring is tough on your voice, that are made to them. So no, I there’s no two ways about it. The lack most definitely would not audition for of sleep combined with lots of one. traveling, singing, and terrible food can be a recipe for disaster. On your first album you covered, “Rule the World” which is a pop I try to exercise and sleep as much as song that was translated into Italian. I can, take lots of vitamins and make How do you personally think the sure I have super healthy breakfast change of language benefited the and lunch to make up for it. No piece? drinking, fatty food or excess talking. I basically hermit myself for 2 months I think language change when you and I’m still always sick for at least a switch pop songs to crossover makes week after regardless of how good them far more accessible to the I’ve been!

There’s been a lot of debate about I think as a woman it’s harder to be sexuality in the music business taken seriously as anything other than recently. Although our specific gender role stereotypes. I has traditionally been more about the was shocked when Vasily Petrenko music, there has been an attempt in said male conductors were better for the last few years to make it sexier. orchestras because of how distracting What are your thoughts on the a “cute girl on the podium” can be. issue? This is the message we’re sending to the up and coming talent in Regardless of how the current crop of the national youth orchestra?! It classical musicians look there’s no illustrated beautifully how deeply denying their talent. I think that is sexist the classical music world still what should be focused on. is. We must all change our views if Everything else is just decoration. we want an equal future for our beloved industry. Do you feel that as a woman it is harder to be taken seriously as an artist?

For more information about Camilla visit camillakerslake.co.uk

Cover Story Rebecca Newman By Fran Laniado

Nicknamed “The People’s Soprano” Rebecca Newman has become one of the most successful indie artists in the classical crossover movement. Her new album, “Dare to Dream” features duets with Universal’s Blake and Mary Jess. Her success and dedication is a success to all indie artists. Fran Laniado speaks to this month’s cover star to help us get to know her better!

It seems like you were interested in discovered there was something about singing from a very young age, but my voice that stood out. I was singing didn’t go to school for it or really along to Sarah Brightman in the make a career of it until later. Was soundtrack to The Phantom of the that always a goal for you? Or would Opera after my mum had been to see you have been content to have it as a it in the West End and I realized my hobby? voice naturally suited the classic soprano sound much better. I joined a I sometimes wonder, myself, just how local junior amateur operatic I came to end up where I am now. I company and won the leading lady in used to sing all the time as a child, but their next show, which was Carousel. it wasn’t until I was 13 that I From then on all I wanted to do was be a professional actress and musical Based on your website bio it looks theatre performer in the West End. I like you have a few musical theatre started working in a local pub, credits to your name (Carousel, washing dishes, to earn money to pay Chess, Princess Ida,) is that for singing lessons but I quickly something that you’d like to pursue discovered the world of opera and more in the future? decided that’s what I wanted to do. However, after my A Levels, I took a I would love to do more theatrical two-year break to save up for drama productions and hope my new album school and quickly worked my way may open some more doors for me. up the corporate ladder, moving to the My previous theatre work has been London head office of the firm I was with local companies but it is very working for. I decided singing was hard when you’re a freelance singer best kept as a hobby, but when I because the level of commitment is moved to York to do a degree to very high and gets in the way of further my professional career, earning the money you need to live on singing seemed to catch up with me and invest back into your music. I again. Within a week I had the title also enjoy the creative process of role in Gilbert and Sullivan’s putting together my own concerts ‘Princess Ida’, then started busking where I get to choose all my favorite and singing at weddings to earn songs, which is very different to money to fund my studies. I was able winning a role in a show with a cast to try out a career as a singer while I of characters. Now I am composing was still studying, so there was no my own music and songs I’ve found pressure and found my business that is where my passion lies, which, experience was really useful in in turn, pushes me further away from making it work. I fell back into it by theatre and more towards a recording accident and it’s as if music wouldn’t and touring career. let me go, rather than I went looking for it. I’ve always had an In 2008 you had a scare with your entrepreneurial spirit so when it voice. How did you feel about the became clear that singing was more prospect of not singing anymore? than just a lucrative hobby I decided to give it a go. For me, music isn’t a At the time I almost wanted to stop job – it’s a passion, it’s an identity. It singing because I felt so frustrated has enriched my life in so many ways with my voice. I knew what I was and I couldn’t turn my back on it now, trying to do but my voice wouldn’t even if I tried. cooperate. I was a professional singer by then and the pressure of needing to be healthy in order to earn my living is a mixture of folk and light opera. was quite tough. Once I found out Nothing can compare to the feeling of what the problem was, and it was a hitting those operatic high notes well, simple fix, I was very relieved and it feels like you’re flying, but I’ve once the medication had time to work always enjoyed using my folkier I noticed the difference very quickly. voice to generate more intimacy with It was like someone had handed my the audience. If I had to choose one old voice back. It has really made me genre and stick to it forever it would appreciate how lucky I am to be able be the operatic style. It’s not the to sing. easiest, and you never stop learning and developing, but it’s definitely the What do you do to maintain your most rewarding for me. It is also what voice now? my fans most want to hear.

I have regular lessons with a You work with several charities to wonderful teacher, whom I’ve been raise money and awareness. How did seeing for two years now. I have to you come to partner with these keep healthy, hydrated, and drink charities? What inspired you to use alcohol infrequently. When I was your music as a way of helping going through my vocal troubles I others? tried everything – marshmallow herb tea, no dairy, no caffeine, propolis, When I decided to leave my job and honey, and lemon – but in reality, the return to education to do a degree I best things you can do are to get had intended to go into development enough sleep, drink enough water and economics. I wanted to work within ensure your technique is good. If your governments and non-governmental technique is bad no amount of potions organizations around the world, using or dietary and lifestyle changes will my skills to help reduce poverty and overcome that. improve the life chances of people in developing countries. I am a firm You’ve released several albums now believer that we all have to do our bit and your repertoire seems to go from to realize the changes we want to see musical theater to folk songs, to in the world. Once I started singing I opera, and pop. What genre do you found I was able to use my music to feel most comfortable in? raise money and awareness for charities, which helped me fulfill this I’ve discovered the joy of songwriting desire to help change the world in my now, so I can sing exactly as I want! own small way. I was able to raise What tends to come out of the writing funds that I could never have dreamed of just writing a cheque for when I follow when you’re working with a was working full time. I also realized bunch of musicians and you’re all there was a virtual big, blank flying by the seat of your pants! The advertising space whenever I was main thing is to make sure you have performing where I could promote a enough time to prepare before the cause. During the performance, the performance. As an independent, self- audience would associate their managed artist I used to be so busy positive feelings with that cause, trying to organize things unrelated to which helps ensure future support for my performance – like the front of the the charities. I chose to support house, merchandise table, lighting, Childline because I wanted to help sound, travel – that I ended up being young people who had no one to talk the bottom of my priority list. Trying to when going through hard times, to stick on false eyelashes five just like I did as a child and a minutes before curtain call is not the teenager. I also chose to support the best way to ensure you go on stage RNLI with a song release and my relaxed and focused. I’ve always tried Coast to Coast Tour, which took in so hard not to be seen as a diva, but twenty venues across the UK, because sometimes you have to make sure you I grew up by the sea and knew what put yourself first, after all, you’re the an amazing job they do by putting reason people have parted with their their lives on the line to save people, hard earned money to buy a ticket so without even being paid. Many of my it’s your responsibility to make sure friends in London were unaware of you’re ready to go on stage and give this, so I wanted to get out there and them a good show. spread the word. You’ve been dubbed “The People’s You perform live fairly often. Do you Soprano”. Where did that nickname ever suffer from any performance come from? How do you feel about anxiety? If so, how do you cope with it? it? I had some radio producers and I get a bit of an adrenaline rush but journalists refer to me by the name in it’s a good feeling and it can bring out the past, plus audience members things in your performance you can’t would say it when I was working with manufacture in rehearsal. I don’t another singer who called himself a really get nervous unless I am doing people’s tenor. However, back then I something new and under-rehearsed, didn’t feel worthy of such a big title. but even then I know that the most It wasn’t until I worked with a interesting and fun performances can wonderful tenor called Gari Glaysher that I understood why people saw me I have such a wide range of musical that way. I was telling him about the influences it’s hard to know where to amazing time I had been having start. My own music has been recording with the orchestra and influenced by artists like Josh Groban, going to and from meetings in Enya, Hans Zimmer, Annie Lennox, London, concerts, and so on, but said whereas my vocals have been I missed street performing. I missed it influenced by Sarah Brightman, who because of the unique connection you first inspired me to move into the get with people on the street and how soprano range, Maria Callas, Renee they keep you grounded. It was Gari Flemming, Pavarotti, Angela who then told me I was demonstrating Giorghiu. However, my career has the true qualities of a “people’s definitely been influenced by the soprano”, so I put it to my fans, recent classical crossover acts who asking them what they thought. Their have been trailblazers, like Russell response on social media was so Watson, Katherine Jenkins, , overwhelming I decided to start using and Andrea Bocelli. My enthusiasm it officially. Since then I’ve gradually for songwriting was definitely embraced the identity. I believe it’s encouraged greatly by a wonderful my down to earth approach, my soul/folk singer and guitarist called slightly goofy sense of humor, the Jess Gardham and the hip-hop band I way I don’t take myself too seriously was in at university. Favorite artists at and, importantly, the way thousands the moment include Noah Stewart and of people over the years have had a Joyce DiDonato. When I’m listening stake in my musical career and to music for fun I like Emelie Sande, development, especially through my Adele, Jack Johnson, Katie street performances. I owe my success MacDonald – basically, acoustic to the people who have followed me singer-songwriters and bands that you over the years and I want to take them can imagine would sound just as good all with me on the adventure. I’m very live and unplugged. I also enjoy pleased to see my supporters listening to orchestral film interacting online and at my shows soundtracks. and am honored to be part of their lives to add some extra enjoyment. You’ve worked with several voice They even have a collective noun: teachers. Do you feel that any of Newmaneers! them was particularly remarkable or inspirational? What are your musical influences? Any favorite artists? What do you My current teacher is simply usually listen to for fun? wonderful. She was classmates with

Alfie Boe for her postgraduate opera to be where I am now – I was just course. She is fantastic and really trying to plug away, making a living encourages me. She doesn’t just teach from music and enjoying the little me because she is paid to, she actually challenges that it brings. I self- gets excited when things are going released five CD albums as a way of right and really invests in me as a having something to sell to support singer. Our lessons regularly overrun myself. Somehow, I’ve managed to and there have been times when she’s gain a following far beyond anything jumped up from the piano and hugged I thought I would. Just over a year ago me because something she had been I raised the funds to realize a long- trying to get me to do for ages held dream of mine, which was to suddenly works. She understands record an album with a live orchestra. what I am trying to do with my voice; As the album has been funded she knows I’m not training to be an privately, much of it raised via my opera singer and enjoys finding the own fanbase, I still own all the rights best way for me to approach my songs to it and was able to choose exactly so they are technically good but still what went onto it. I’ve never been in sound like me. I’ve been very lucky the position before where I had with teachers over the years, even anything ready to sell on to a label, though I went through several years and I’m not the kind of artist who had with hardly any coaching at all, and I ever considered approaching major always remember my first teacher, labels to get a recording deal, so this Mary Burman, as being the first is all very new. All I can say at the person to recognize my ability – at moment is I’ve had some very least, the first person with any real exciting conversations with people in knowledge about music! My voice is the industry and I’m looking forward going through some exciting changes to seeing how my album is received at the moment and new tones, by listeners and the music industry textures, and vocal colors are coming when it is released. through. I’m excited to see how it will sound and feel in another six or What about the classical crossover twelve months time. genre appeals to you?

You are an independent artist. Is that I’m very excited with the potential for by choice? Would you consider the classical crossover genre. There is signing with a label at some point? a massive, lucrative market out there for the music. Many people following Very little about my music career is this style of music are keen to buy by choice or design. I never intended physical merchandise, which is dying out in other more mainstream genres, of my dream is to get an album into as well as come to live shows. There the top of classical charts, so the next is also a hunger for new music. few months are crunch time for me. Covering classical arias is an art in its The album has been a true labor of own right, and it’s enjoyable to rise to love. I will undertake a small tour, that challenge, but singing and writing hopefully in the autumn, to showcase music that uses elements of both the album. This album has had to operatic arias and pop allows me to qualify for the classical charts, so it show off different sides of my voice. I needed to contain at least 60% generally cross over between styles classical music, but income from this within my shows, singing a variety of album will go into my next album, styles on one night, but I’m also which will feature even more original trying to write songs in the style of material. Time to Say Goodbye, The Prayer and You Raise Me Up, as these have What would you like to accomplish proven to be very popular. in the future (long-term)?

What are your upcoming projects? I would like my new album to be the start of something bigger than just me. Currently, I’m finishing my new There is a quote I use to guide me in album, called Dare to Dream. There my career: “success is not about how are two completely original songs on high you climb, but how many people the album, one of which, Dare to you take with you”. I want to involve Dream, is the title track and is many schoolchildren, choirs and clubs extremely personal to me. It has been to bring the message of Dare to recorded with The City of Prague Dream out to everyone. I’ve already Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged and started mentoring a young soprano, conducted by Paul Bateman. Paul has and am in the process of executive worked on many of Sarah producing her first album so she can Brightman’s albums and international start re-investing in her music. tours, so I do have to pinch myself Hopefully, it will give her a leg-up sometimes. He is incredibly talented and help her in her development as and the arrangements he wrote for the I’ve been there and done it when it orchestra have breathed new life into comes to most challenges and pitfalls. some old favorites and really pull at I’ve seen so many people in the the heartstrings. The album features a industry kicking out the ladder behind collaboration with Blake, for The them, but we don’t have to operate Prayer, and with Mary-Jess, for like that. I just want to keep making Sull’Aria, by Mozart. The second part music that people enjoy and inspiring people to have a go themselves. I Andrea Bocelli, Joseph Callejah or Il hope to use my music as a way of Divo would be rather nice, and maybe getting out and seeing more of the even picking up a couple of Classic world, and meeting more wonderful Brit Award nominations along the musicians, composers, producers and, way would be something to tell the of course, listeners along the way. kids one day! Naturally, duetting with the likes of

For more information please visit rebeccanewman.co.uk

Jane Froman By Don McCullen

She was born Ellen Jane Froman on of her shell and opened the door to a November 10, 1907, in University successful career. City, to parents Elmer Ellswroth Froman and Anna T. She went to Christian College (now Barcafer. At five years of age, Elmer known today as Columbia College) and Anna separated and Jane was and briefly went to the University of raised by her mother and her extended Missouri studying Journalism. She family. Jane’s childhood was spent in would later study voice at the Clinton and later Columbia, Missouri. Conservatory of Music The later would be considered by Jane from 1928 to 1930. During her time in Froman herself her hometown. Cincinnati, Ohio; Froman started During her childhood, Jane developed singing on the radio and doing a stutter but her mother’s musical commercials at the legendary WLW background (Anna played piano Radio. professionally and taught music at Christian College and Stephens At WLW she met Don Ross, a staff College) opened the doors to a shy singer for the radio station and a young girl to experience something onetime vaudeville performer. Ross greater. Jane Froman acquired a love was key in making Forman a popular of music that helped to bring her out singer in America. They first sang together and then Ross would arrange auditions for Forman. Ross would was one of them. She suffered broken become her manager and the pair later ribs and multiple fractures on her married. Don and Jane headed for right arm. But it was the fracture in New York City in 1933 where Jane’s her left leg that would leave a lifelong career was about to take wing. impact. The injury would require Jane to wear a leg brace for the rest of her One year later Jane Froman would be life and would also inflict terrible pain considered the number one “girl in the years to come. singer” on the radio. She tried her hand in acting, scoring roles in Stars Displaying an indomitable spirit, Jane Over Broadway and Radio City refused to let her injuries keep her Revels but her acting career would be from her dreams. Eight months after short-lived due to her stuttering the accident she appeared in the show problem which continued to plague “Artists and Models” wheelchair and her. Jane was still in demand as a all. Moreover, Jane did not let the singer and regularly performed not accident keep her from performing for just on the radio but in the New York the troops. In 1945 Jane, now on nightclub scene, on Broadway and as crutches, performed three months a recording artist. She was still the top straight for over 30,000 servicemen. female singer in 1937 and 1938 but while her musical career was going Her personal life once again was once from strength to strength her marriage again in turmoil, however. During the was slowly imploding. accident in Pan Am, Jane had met John Burn who had helped save her In 1941 Jane would begin to entertain life as they waited in the water American troops as part of the USO awaiting rescue workers. After the (United Service Organization) shows rescue, John would stay in contact around the Nation. She was one of the with Jane and would frequently visit first performers to volunteer to her in the hospital while she entertain soldiers overseas. No one recovered from her injuries. With her could have predicted the divorce from Don Ross finalized in consequences of that choice. February 1948, Jane Forman was free to marry John Burn which she did one On February 22, 1943, she boarded a month later. But her second marriage Pan American Airways flight in route would be tested greatly and in 1956 to her first USO show in Europe. The they divorced. flight crashed into the Tagus River in , . Of the 39 Jane Forman’s medical complications passengers on the plane, only 15 finally came to a head when they took survived. Thankfully Jane Froman their toll on her mental health. She would soon enter the Menninger Columbia, Missouri. Smith had Clinic in Topeka Kansas to be treated become the assistant managing editor for depression for six months in 1949. for the local newspaper the Columbia Tribune. They enjoyed each other’s Despite her personal struggles, Jane company and shared common Froman was a beloved figure to the interests. They would marry on June U.S Troops and the American public. 22, 1962. Forman devoted more time Seeing an opportunity, 20th Century to charity work and community Fox movie studio purchased the rights activities including Easter Seals and to produce a biographical film. “With the Missouri Mental Health a Song in My Heart” with actress Association. Jane Froman briefly in the role of Jane came out of the retirement for a Forman was released in 1952. Jane benefit Christmas concert in 1969, would contribute her own vocals supporting her own Jane Froman while Hayward lip-synced them on Music Camp. 11 years late Jane camera. A year later Jane was given Froman died of heart failure at the age her own Television program of 72. originally titled USA Canteen before changing it to her namesake. Jane Froman in her lifetime earned three separate stars on the Hollywood Jane Forman returned to the Walk of Fame (Radio, Recording, Menninger Clinic and this time was Television). The contralto with the given a guided tour of the grounds. commanding voice and warm smile She was soon asked to serve on the lived a complicated life from the time Menninger Foundation’s Board of was a shy child with a stutter to the Governors. She accepted the position years when physical injury and mental and would remain on the board for the illness threatened to overcome her. rest of her life. In 1957 she started the Yet, Jane Froman was ever the fighter Jane Froman Foundation which and time and time again she rose assisted the children’s hospital at above it all and unselfishly devoted Menninger Clinic. her time and talent to others. The Jane Froman legacy continues with the Jane Froman retired from performing “Jane Froman Centennial” and loyal in 1961. She became reacquainted fans continue to visit her hometown to with a former college friend Rowland honor her. H. Smith when she returned to

For more about this inspirational singer visit janefroman.com