The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative hosts the only high school vocal academy and competition in the U.S. dedicated solely to the music from Broadway, Hollywood musicals and the Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-twentieth century. The Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition has proven to be one of the Michael Feinstein Initiative’s most exciting education programs.
“The competition this year was a tremendous success, and we are excited to announce that our plan to expand the event nationally continues with the addition of 11 states in 2013 for a total of 22 states,” said Chris Lewis, Director of the Vocal Academy & Competition.
Judges will select students for regional competitions held in five cities across the country. The regional competitions, held May-June 2013, include a full day of workshops followed by an evening performance. Two finalists will be selected in each region.
The ten regional finalists will be invited to the Feinstein Initiative’s headquarters in Carmel, IN, July 21-26, 2013, to participate in a five-day “boot-camp” on interpreting and performing the music of the Great American Songbook. Five-time Grammy nominee, Michael Feinstein, and other top music industry professionals will conduct workshops and master classes throughout the week. The final competition performance will be held in the 1,600 seat Palladium Concert Hall at the Center for the Performing Arts.
The first place winner receives $3,000 and the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to perform with two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award nominated entertainer and founder of the Feinstein Initiative, Michael Feinstein. The first place winner will serve as the Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador for one year and will have opportunities to perform throughout the year.
“This year’s competition was the most exciting and fulfilling yet. With the expansion and addition of regionals around the country, there was greater national participation and consequently the greatest level of talent we’ve ever had,” said Michael Feinstein, founder of the Feinstein Initiative and Songbook Vocal Competition.
Second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,500 toward continuing music education.
Regional finalists for the 2013 competition will be selected from the following eligible states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Interested students can apply at www.FeinsteinInitiative.org