featured roles & solo assignments
Thank you to everyone who submitted an audition.
Tim and I were incredibly grateful for the time, preparation, and care that singers invested in their submissions. We were deeply impressed by the musicality, thoughtfulness, and artistry represented across the recordings.
As we worked through assignments, many factors were considered, including vocal timbre, musical interpretation, stylistic fit, storytelling through the voice, and balance within featured ensembles. In many cases, there were multiple singers who could have been successful in a role, making the selection process a challenging one.
Because Considering Matthew Shepard spans a wide variety of musical styles and musical voices, our goal was not simply to identify the strongest submissions, but rather to find the voices that best served each moment of the work and its larger narrative.
We are grateful to every singer who was willing to share their artistry through this process. Whether or not you were assigned a featured role, your contribution to this project remains invaluable. This work depends on the collective musicianship and commitment of the entire ensemble, and we are excited to continue bringing it to life together.
Please note that some small ensemble assignments may continue to evolve as we refine balance and blend throughout the rehearsal process. Additionally, the Thank You soli will be assigned during rehearsal.
Congratulations to the following singers on their featured assignments:
Tenor (Yodel) — Eric Laine
Featured SA Voices — Lydia Taylor, Jaime Gonzalez
Female Solo (Ordinary Boy) — Sofia Dahm
Judy Shepard — Lydia Taylor
Matthew Shepard — Telvin Culberson
Dramatic Tenor — Miguel Pesce
Lyric Soprano — Jaime Gonzalez
Country / Western Baritone — Sal Osorio
Tenor (Yodel) — Eric Laine
Dramatic Baritone — James Rodriguez
Mezzo Solo — Jamy Nguyen
SSA Backup Trio
Soprano 1 — Kaylynn Langham
Soprano 2 — Lydia Taylor
Alto — Jaime Gonzalez
Dramatic Baritone — Eduardo Guerrero
Spoken TB Voice — Sean Chavez
High Baritone — Caleb Perez
Dramatic Mezzo — Katarina Cashon
Lyric Tenor — Eric Laine
Gospel Soprano — Kaylynn Langham
Kaylynn Langham
Elijah Sones
Sean Chavez
Elijah Sones
Sal Osorio
Sofia Dahm
Justin Talamantez
Caleb Gottry
Lydia Taylor
Katarina Cashon
Justin Talamantez
SATB Quartet
Soprano — Kaylynn Langham
Alto — Sofia Dahm
Tenor — Miguel Pesce
Bass — Elijah Sones
Soprano Trio
Soprano 1 — Jaime Gonzalez
Soprano 2 — Sofia Dahm
Soprano 3 — Kaylynn Langham
Poem Speakers
— Eduardo Guerrero
— Sofia Dahm
Vocal Soli
— To be assigned during rehearsal.
S1 — Katrina Cashon (m. 23–28)
S2, S4 — Lydia Taylor (m. 50–52; m. 65–68)
S3 — Kaylynn Langham (m. 64–68)
A1, A3 — Sofia Dahm (m. 43–45; m. 73–76)
A2 — Jaime Gonzalez (m. 72–76)
T1 — Miguel Pesce (m. 44–45)
B1 — Elijah Sones (m. 43–46)
B1 — Caleb Gottry (m. 33–37)
B2 — Sal Osorio (m. 34–37)
SSA Gospel Trio
Soprano 1 — Kaylynn Langham
Soprano 2 — Lydia Taylor
Alto — Sofia Dahm