Alvy Powell facts for kids

Alvy R. Powell Jr (born October 31, 1955) is an American opera singer with a deep voice, known as a bass-baritone. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Chorus. Alvy Powell is famous for singing at events for presidents and for his role as Porgy in the opera Porgy and Bess. Before he retired from the military in 2017, he was the oldest soldier serving in the Army.

In 2015, President Barack Obama gave Alvy Powell the National Medal of Arts. This award celebrates people who have made amazing contributions to the arts in the United States.

Alvy Powell's Early Life

Alvy Powell was born in Birdsnest, Virginia. He grew up in Cheriton, Virginia. He had four older sisters, and he says they really helped him get interested in music.

Growing Up with Music

When he was young, Alvy sang gospel music at the African Baptist Church. He remembers that people at the church noticed his singing talent early on and encouraged him.

At age 14, Alvy was inspired by a recording of William Warfield. Warfield was singing the part of Porgy in the opera Porgy and Bess. Alvy said, "I had never seen anyone black in something so classical. I knew it was right for me. I said I was going to sing it some day." He graduated from Northampton High School in 1974. The next year, he went on a music tour of Europe. His high school chorus teacher told him about the tour.

His Path to Music and the Army

Later, Alvy Powell worked different jobs. He was a prison guard, a baggage handler for an airline, and a disc jockey. He studied at Virginia State University and Indiana University. Then he went to the University of Maryland. There, he was taught by George Shirley. George Shirley was the first black tenor to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Alvy also sang at a dinner theater in Washington, D.C. Other singers there encouraged him. This led him to try out for the U.S. Army Chorus.

Alvy Powell's Musical Career

In 1983, Alvy Powell joined the U.S. Army Chorus. He joined after he finished his voice degree at the University of Maryland. Four years later, he got permission to travel to Australia. There, he performed the role of Porgy in Porgy and Bess in Melbourne and Sydney.

Singing for Presidents and Around the World

At that time, Alvy was a staff sergeant. He said he was an ordinary soldier. He explained, "We are taught to march, do our drill and carry a rifle. What is different is that we are on call 24 hours a day to sing at VIP functions." He left the chorus in 1993. He spent several years singing around the world. He rejoined the U.S. Army Chorus in 2001.

Alvy Powell performed for several U.S. presidents. He also sang for many important people from other countries. President Gerald Ford especially liked Alvy's performances of "Ol' Man River". Alvy sang solos at Ford's funeral and at the rededication of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. He also sang the national anthem without music (a cappella) at the inauguration of George H. W. Bush in 1989. First Lady Barbara Bush chose him for this task. He had sung at the Bush family's Christmas parties in earlier years.

His Famous Opera Roles

Alvy Powell became very well known for his work in opera. He kept performing in operas even after he returned to the Army. He became famous for singing the role of Porgy. He has played Porgy more than 2500 times!

In 2008, Alvy appeared at Carnegie Hall. He sang the part of Joe in Show Boat. He returned to Carnegie Hall in 2009 as Porgy. He also played King Balthazar in a BBC television show called Amahl and the Night Visitors.

In 2015, President Barack Obama gave Alvy Powell the National Medal of Arts. George Shirley, Alvy's mentor, also received the medal that year.

As of 2017, Alvy Powell was the oldest enlisted soldier in the Army. That year, he announced he would retire on October 31, his 62nd birthday. A retirement celebration with the U.S. Army Chorus was planned for September 2017 in Cheriton.

Personal Life

Alvy Powell met his second wife, Gina, through his work. She was also a singer, and they met at an opera house. Gina passed away in 2015. Alvy had a son in 1987, Alvy Rolland Powell, III, with his first wife, Sheila.