May 1, 2012 — The Chicago Bulls announced today that for the second year in row, tenor Jim Cornelison, the Chicago Blackhawks’ full-time National Anthem singer will sing the National Anthem at all Bulls home games for the remainder of their playoff run.
Cornelison, a native of Vienna, Virginia, sang with numerous opera companies before coming to Chicago in 1995 to take part in the Lyric Opera’s Apprenticeship Program where he was one of six who accepted apprentices among more than 800 applicants. He has performed nationally and internationally with some of the biggest names in opera, such as Plácido Domingo and Zubin Mehta. Known as a heroic tenor for the dark color of his voice but ability to sing in a tenor range, he has sung with opera companies in Bordeaux, London, Brussels and San Francisco, among many others.
A 1992 graduate of Indiana University’s Master’s of Music Program, Cornelison has received numerous accolades for his singing, including the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation Award and the George London Foundation Encouragement Grant, as well as first place in the American Opera Society of Chicago’s 1997 Vocal Competition.