By Terri Spilman
The Carmel Arts Council and Piano Solutions will present the 2014 Young Performers Showcase and competition on Feb. 22 and 23.
According to Carmel Arts Council Executive Director Doreen Squire Ficara, the two organizations launched the showcase in 1998 to give young students interested in the arts a chance to perform in front of an audience and help them build enough confidence to demonstrate their talents.
This year, 130 musicians will be competing in their respective age groups, with most playing piano.
The students will be judged in five categories that include Mastery of Music, Dynamics, Rhythmic Accuracy, General Effect and Stage Presence, as well as Technique.
Event Coordinator Cheryl Everett, who specializes in print music resources and academic development at Piano Solutions, selects collegiate judges from outside of the area so the students get an unbiased opinion of their performance.
In addition to building these young musicians’ confidence, the showcase also builds a sense of community.
“Playing the piano and practicing by themselves can be a lonely thing,” Everett said. “The showcase allows participants to be with other children and see that others are playing the piano and that they belong to a piano community.”
The Piano/Instrumental Senior Scholarship Competition will also take place on Feb. 23, with the first place winner receiving a $2,500 scholarship and second place receiving a $1,500 scholarship.
The Young Performers Showcase will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Piano Solutions, 575 W. Carmel Drive in Carmel. Admission is free.
For more information visit www.carmelartscouncil.org.
