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THE OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN MUSEUM AND
THEATRE EDUCATION CENTER ANNOUNCES
HAMMERSTEIN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SOLO CONTEST
Open to Singers Ages 5-23 from Across the World to Celebrate the Unforgettable Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein
The nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center (OHMTEC) is proud to announce the first ever international youth solo contest centered on the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II. OHMTEC, which is in the midst of a nationwide fundraising campaign, is pleased to offer this opportunity for singers ages 5-23 to display their talents and celebrate the works of the “Father of Broadway,” who contributed lyrics to over 800 songs that continue to reverberate around the world.
The contest is the brainchild of OHMTEC Board Member and Music Educator, Jaime Rogers, in response to the challenges of teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a school choir director during COVID, I am facing many challenges with how to provide meaningful performance opportunities for my choir students,” said Rogers. “Singing together live as an ensemble is on hold for the time being, but that doesn't mean that we can't work on our musicianship and vocal technique as individuals. The solo contest will serve as a performance opportunity for interested students."
The solo contest is open to singers from across the globe in five categories – Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College and a local division for residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The first round of semi-finalists will be determined by popular vote, followed by two more rounds of competition judged by music and theatre professionals. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each category. First-place winners will receive a cash prize, have the opportunity to film their song at Highland Farm and receive a voice lesson with Broadway performers Justin Guarini (of American Idol fame) or Andrew Polec (Broadway’s Bat Out of Hell). Read more
A prestigious panel of judges will evaluate the final round of solo submissions, including Joseph Ohrt, Choir Director for Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown; Peter Reynolds, Head of Musical Theatre, Temple University; John Simpkins, Head of Musical Theatre, Penn State University; and Ivy Walz, Interim Associate Dean and Professor of Vocal Performance at Ithaca College.
Registration is open now at HammersteinMuseum.org/hammerstein-solo-contest. Solos are due no later than December 18th. Winners will be announced February 1, 2021.
OHMTEC is immensely grateful to generous sponsors for the contest, the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra and the Bucks County Country Gentlemen. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please email OscarHammersteinCenter@gmail.com for details.
All proceeds from the contest will benefit The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center. Fundraising success will allow the non-profit to secure, renovate, and preserve Highland Farm, the Hammerstein property located at 70 East Road in the heart of Doylestown, PA, and convert the home and barn into a Museum and Theatre Education Center.
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