Friday, January 1, 2010

Applications Due Feb. 28 for 2nd Annual Great American Songbook Academy & Competition

I'm so proud to once again manage the 2nd annual Michael Feinstein Foundation's Great American Songbook High School Academy & Competition. This year, the Academy and Competition will be held at the University of Indianapolis in its exquisite Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.

High school students from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa are invited to apply BY FEBRUARY 28, 2010.

Ten finalists will be invited to Indianapolis for a five-day music academy on the history, music and performance techniques of music from the Broadway, Hollywood musical theatre and Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-20th century, known as the “Great American Songbook.”

Five judges, including Michael Feinstein and others to be announced soon, University of Indianapolis faculty and other music professionals will conduct classes and help prepare finalists for the final competition performance on Saturday, June 5, at University of Indianapolis’ Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.

After finalists each sing two songs, judges will announce first, second and third place winners immediately following the June 5th performance. Second and third place winners receive $500 each towards continuing music education. The first place winner will be invited to sing with Michael Feinstein in New York City.

As a singer myself and someone who has grown up loving this music, it's an opportunity of a lifetime that I cannot begin to imagine if I were in their shoes! Yet, it's been a dream come true for me to help create such an experience that instills a love for this music in a new generation of talented musicians.

For more information or to download the application, visit www.MichaelFeinsteinFoundation.org.

Photo: Michael Feinstein announces the 2009 winner, Julia Bonnett from Carmel, Indiana.