Koten Chapel at North Central College hosting Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition
Public invited to free performance April 28 at 7 p.m.
High school vocalists from Illinois and Iowa will compete on Saturday, April 28. The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative sponsors the Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition. The annual endeavor is the only U.S. competition dedicated solely to the music from Broadway, Hollywood musicals and the Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-twentieth century.
“Through this competition, we are reaching a new generation to teach this music and the American history that inspired and influenced these composers,” said Michael Feinstein, the Initiative’s founder and noted American Songbook ambassador.
The Midwest regional is taking place at the School for Performing Arts with a final performance at Koten Chapel at North Central College in Naperville. The regional features 10 high school vocalists, representing five states. The public is invited to attend a free performance by the competitors at 7 p.m. on April 28. The performance is in the Koten Chapel – North Central College, 329 E. School St., Naperville.
The following students will be competing in the competition.
- Kristofer Hansen (Glenview, Illinois)
- Miranda Binns-Calvey (Forest Park, Illinois)
- Eleri Ward (Burr Ridge, Illinois)
- Jillian Slade (Dubuque, Iowa)
- Crofton Coleman (Champaign, Illinois)
- Sydney Johnson (Hoffman Estates, Illinois)
- Kennedy Oltman (Princeville, Illinois)
- Andrea Schumann (Lake Barrington, Illinois)
- Emily Fink (Carbondale, Illinois)
- Evan Dolan (Dubuque, Iowa)
Regional winners will travel to the Indianapolis area for a four-day comprehensive “boot-camp” June 12 -16, led by local and national celebrity performers, including Michael Feinstein. Workshops will cover topics ranging from breathing and microphone techniques to one-on-one coaching and master-classes. The classes are intended to prepare finalists for the Final Competition performance at The Palladium concert hall in Carmel, Ind. on June 15, 2012, when each student performs two songs and the top three winners will be announced.
The first place winner wins $3000 and the chance of a lifetime: a trip to sing in New York City with five-time Grammy Award nominee, world-renowned performer and recording artist, and co-founder of the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative, Michael Feinstein.
Second place will receive $2000 and third place will receive $1500 towards continuing music education.
For additional information, visit www.feinsteininitiative.org.
