National stage awaits GHS singer

Grafton High School sophomore Ty Brennan has been chosen to perform in an online concert presented by the National Association for Music Education.

“When I found out I was selected, I was at a loss for words,” Brennan said. “I never thought I was that good.”

Brennan is one of three students from Wisconsin who were selected to perform in the All-National Honor Ensembles concert along with other accomplished musicians throughout the nation and overseas.

He will sing with the best of the best in a performance recorded between Jan. 7 and 9 and to be streamed across the nation in March during the organization’s Music In Our Schools Month.

For the audition process, Brennan submitted two solo recordings, which were made by himself at home. Since he was selected, he has been rehearsing by himself, as are all other members of the group.

Brennan  said it is difficult not being able to rehearse with other singers.

“There’s a lot of independent work, and you don’t always know if you are singing right because there could be audio interference,” he said.

Brennan is a tenor who plays the saxophone for the school band and jazz ensemble, as well as being an accomplished pianist. He is a member of the school choir, chamber singers and Graftonics, an a cappella group.

Brennan also performs at his church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Among his other accomplishments, he is  a three-time member of the Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Honors choir and was chosen this year as a member of the NAfME National Honors Mixed Choir. He has been part of the Florentine Opera Summer Intensive program, following his great-grandfather’s footsteps, as well as a former member of the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, where he was a guest soloist for “Requiem for the Living” with Waterford High School.

Brennan’s other accolades include the WSMA Exemplary Performer Award, Jerry Award for his portrayal of Jean Michel in “Cinderella” and being a national semifinalist for musical theater and a finalist for vocal art song in the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition.

He credited his parents Lisa and Sean Brennan and his music instructors through  the years, especially GHS Choral Director Jonathan Kim and Band Director Alex Knoepker.

Brennan said he wants to pursue singing for a career, and his dream is to perform on Broadway. He said he wants to attend a college with a strong musical tradition,  such as The Julliard School.