02/15/2026
This is the fella that calls on Fridays to make sure that your fillings are not too high.
Last-minute opportunities in music often arrive quietly — and then all at once.
When tenor Judson Virden received a text the evening before the Walla Walla Symphony’s second performance of Mozart’s Requiem in January, he learned they might need a replacement soloist. By the next day, with roughly twelve hours’ notice, he stepped onto the stage as tenor soloist in one of the most revered works in the choral canon.
Though he had sung the Requiem many times from the chorus, this marked his first time performing it as a soloist. What carried him through? Confidence, preparation, and a deep familiarity with the music he has long loved.
There was, understandably, some apprehension. Conductor Dr. André Thomas would be going onstage with a singer he did not know — and with virtually no time for a full rehearsal. A brief pre-concert run-through was hastily arranged with two of the other soloists and piano: a few starting points, balance checks, and musical cues, but nothing sung straight through.
At the end of that short rehearsal, Dr. Thomas took Judson’s hand, looked visibly relieved, and said simply:
“I love you right now.”
From that moment forward, the performance unfolded with remarkable energy. Judson recalls the exhilarating “Kyrie Eleison,” its fast and intricate lines drawing both audience and performers immediately into Mozart’s world. By the time the tenor solo in “Domine Jesu” arrived, a triumphant and expressive moment near the work’s close, he found himself fully immersed in the music and the experience.
His reflection for fellow singers is clear: confidence matters. An audience responds to the assurance and commitment a performer brings to the stage. Just as important is the ongoing work of building repertoire and knowing the great masterworks well enough to say “yes” when unexpected opportunities arise.
We are proud to celebrate the artistry, professionalism, and readiness of our Mid-Columbia Opera artists.
Bravissimo, Judson!
