Michael Feinstein Launches Search for 2013 Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador; Deadline 3/31

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.

The Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy & Competition is a celebration of the Golden Age of American Popular music. This program is the only high school vocal 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 Vocal Academy & Competition was created to provide an opportunity for young people to experience firsthand this uniquely American music and its cultural significance.

The Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy & Competition is designed to be a collaborative, rewarding, and fun experience for all participants. Regional competitions consist of one-day intensives focused on singing and interpreting the music of the Great American Songbook, led by music educators and industry professionals. Two winners from each of the five regional events proceed to the final competition week at the Feinstein Initiative's headquarters at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, IN. Students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, and master classes with celebrity performers and music industry professionals. The final week's events will culminate in a live show on July 26, 2013, at the Palladium in Carmel, IN, where the top three winners will be selected. The first place winner will become the Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador and will have opportunities to perform throughout the year representing the Michael Feinstein Initiative.

World-class performers have served as coaches and mentors for the Academy & Competition. These talented individuals have shared a wealth of encouragement, inspiration, and performance techniques with students, for an amazing once in a lifetime experience. Competition mentors for the 2012 Vocal Competition included two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award nominee, Michael Feinstein; Five-time Grammy winner, Sandi Patty; Two-time Grammy winner and Emmy winner, Sylvia McNair.

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