SILER CITY — Showcase contestants have been selected for “Sing and Play ’20,” the third-annual music competition scheduled for February 20 at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.
The showcase concert highlights talented student musicians and raises money for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide what student artists need to excel.
Fifteen musical acts selected during auditions will perform in separate elementary, middle and high school competitions.
Elementary contestants are Dahlia Neff Burt of Siler City Elementary, Ember Lindley of Silk Hope School, Lainey Parker of Praise Homeschool and Oliver Vang of Moncure School.
Middle school contestants are Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School, Cameron Parker of Praise Homeschool, Natalie Zagada Morales of Chatham Middle School and one duet act featuring Katelyn Emerson of Chatham Middle School and Mylana Fulcher of Siler City Elementary.
The competition will conclude with seven high school performances. Laci Burt, Litzy Garcia, Kayli McIntosh, Rilee Rains, Edith Soto and Amari Yarborough compete from Jordan-Matthews High School. Luz Borrayo represents Chatham Charter School.
Two guest performances also are on the program. This year’s showcase will feature past winners Jennifer Trejo Benitez of Jordan-Matthews and Jack and Jillian Dixon of Silk Hope.
“Each year we’re delighted to see the variety of talent and expression among the young people in our county,” said Greg Burriss, who directs the competition and selected showcase contestants with his fellow judge, Joseph Walden. “We consider it a privilege to offer this audition and performance opportunity to so many aspiring musicians.
“We know that young performers can benefit from the challenge of competition and the chance to audition in front of accomplished artists. We are grateful that they allow us to know them and see their talent.”
“Sing and Play” is open to both instrumental and vocal acts, with students competing for a $50 prize in each age division. Winners will be selected by audience vote during the showcase concert on February 20, 6:30 p.m., at Jordan-Matthews.
General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each age-based competition.
JMArts president Rose Pate expects another lively showcase. “With the continued popularity of TV shows like ‘The Voice’ and ‘America’s Got Talent’ it’s clear that music contests have tremendous appeal,” she said. “And for our students, the experience of standing on that stage and performing for an enthusiastic, live audience is a thrill like no other.”
All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts for educational projects, including its New York Arts Adventure. That trip scheduled over spring break gives upperclass musicians, actors and visual artists an opportunity to explore one of the world’s great cities, experience the very best in the arts and gain new perspectives that will influence their lives and work.
Not only will travelers attend performances on and off Broadway, but they will learn from world-class professionals. That includes discussing theater over lunch with The Washington Post chief theater critic Peter Marks; discussing life in the arts with Tony Award nominee Andy Grotelueschen, who recently performed in the Broadway musical “Tootsie”; and exploring street art in Brooklyn and learning graffiti technique in a hands-on workshop.
More information about “Sing and Play” performers will be available online at facebook.com/JMHSArts. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are online at jmarts.org.