High school singers from the United States with interests in musical theater, jazz and classic popular music can apply now to experience a life-changing week of performing, pre-professional training and personal mentoring from Broadway stars and other arts and entertainment professionals.
The Great American Songbook Foundation has opened the application process for its 13th annual Songbook Academy national music intensive, taking place July 16-23, 2022, at the Foundation’s home, the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Candidates can apply at app.getacceptd.com/songbookacademy. The 2022 event will mark a return to an in-person, on-site gathering after two years in an online format prompted by health concerns.
“We’ve learned that the Songbook Academy has a major impact on the participants, regardless of format, but needless to say, we’re very pleased to offer this year’s finalists the special camaraderie and sense of community that come from spending the week together in shared spaces,” stated Christopher Lewis, executive director of the Great American Songbook Foundation.
Only 40 students nationwide are selected annually to experience the rigorous schedule of workshops and master classes on topics such as vocal technique, vocal health, song interpretation, phrasing, stage presence, music history, business concerns and auditioning for college arts programs. Participants build relationships with peers and pros, perform for live audiences and join the Songbook Academy Alumni Network to stay connected and informed about college programs, auditions and performance opportunities.
Heading up the roster of professional mentors, as always, will be Songbook Foundation founder Michael Feinstein, the five-time Grammy-nominated “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook.” The 2022 guest mentors are still to be announced. Last year’s included Grammy-winning vocalist Catherine Russell and stage and screen stars Telly Leung and Solea Pfeiffer.
The week culminates in the Songbook Academy Finals, a performance presented by the Center for the Performing Arts in the Palladium. Awards are presented for excellence in several categories, and many finalists receive national performance opportunities.
To be considered for the Songbook Academy, high school students living in the United States are invited to submit videos with performances of two contrasting songs. The selections can include songs from the Broadway stage and the golden age of Hollywood as well as jazz standards from the 1920s to the 1960s. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of music educators and industry professionals who provide written feedback to every applicant.
The application deadline is March 15, 2022, with an early bird discount available through Feb. 15. Need-based scholarships, fee waivers and other financial aid opportunities are available.
More details and application information are available at TheSongbook.org/SongbookAcademy or by email at [email protected].
