THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL ACADEMY & COMPETITION Competition Finals
Friday, June 15 at 7pm |
the palladium
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL ACADEMY & COMPETITION Competition Finals Friday, June 15 at 7pm |
the palladium
Welcome and Introductions Chris Lewis, Director of Education Master of Ceremonies Michael Feinstein, Founder of Initiative “Hey, Look Me Over”
(Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh) Performed by Michael Feinstein & Finalists
Sylvia McNair Performance Finalists Perform First Solo Song “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
(Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II) Performed by Sandi Patty & Finalists
INTERMISSION (20 MINUTES)
Michael Feinstein Performance Jim Caruso Performance Finalists Perform Second Solo Song La Tanya Hall Performance Michael Feinstein Performance Remarks Jeff McDermott, Chairman of Board Karen Kelsey, Interim Director Announcement of 2012 Winners
Competition Prizes The first place winner wins $3,000 and the chance of a lifetime: a trip to sing in New York City with five-time Grammy Award nominee, world-renowned performer and recording artist, and co-founder of the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative, Michael Feinstein. This winner will also serve as the Young Ambassador for the Great American Songbook, and will have opportunities throughout the year to represent the Feinstein Initiative. Second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,500. Five Towns College has offered to match the monetary prizes awarded by the Michael Feinstein Initiative with scholarships for students who wish to pursue music studies at the College.
THE FEINSTEIN INITIATIVE’S PREFERRED AIRLINE
About the Finalists Nick Angel Haslett, MI Nick Angel was born in Ridge Farm, Illinois, but has spent most of his life in Haslett, Michigan. He has been singing since he was a child, but began performing in middle school. He now attends Haslett High School and is involved in choir, volleyball, and is the founder of the Haslett High School Harry Potter Club. His favorite performers are Patti LuPone and Barbra Streisand. In the future, he would like to live in New York and make a living working on stage however possible.
Tori Anna Napa, CA Tori Anna is a seventeen-year-old senior from Napa, California. She began singing at age two in her car seat while singing along to Disney tunes. Tori attends New Technology High and is involved in singing, traveling with a professional children’s choir (VOENA), piano, guitar, painting, photography, filmmaking, and working as an intern at the Napa Valley Opera House. Her favorite performers are Doris Day and Natalie Cole. She has always wanted nothing more than to be a professional singer.
Genevieve Ellis Corona, CA Genevieve Ellis was born in Johannesburg, South Africa,
moved to Texas as a baby, and eventually moved to California for her dad’s job. She has been singing as long as she can remember and began taking voice lessons at age eight. She is a freshman at Santiago High School and is involved in music, performing, volleyball, and has a black belt in karate. Her favorite performer is Kelli O’Hara. In the future, she would like to be a performer on Broadway.
Sage Melcher Honeoye, NY Sage Melcher is a freshman at Allendale-Columbia High School and is involved in the school orchestra, jazz bands, Rochester City Ballet, tap, piano, various choirs, Honeoye Falls/Mendon AC Rotary Interact Club as vice president, and is enrolled at the Eastman School of Music. She has always been a fan of the Great American Songbook, and some of her favorite performers include Michael Feinstein, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland.
Kelly Muller Victorville, CA Kelly Muller is a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Cajon High School and is involved in a musical theatre company called Broadway Experience, voice lessons, acting and singing in master classes. She is a scholar in the Rotary Life Scholarship program, and is a member of the National Honors Society. Her favorite performer, is Lea Salonga because of her roles in Miss Siagon, Les Misérables, and Disney films.
About the Finalists Continued Tony Ponella Bloomington, IN Tony Ponella was born in Rochester, New York, but moved to Bloomington, Indiana at the age of eight. He began singing at a young age and put on his first benefit concert for the Red Cross in first grade. He is homeschooled in a diverse community that offers incredible music and drama programs. Tony directs a local youth theatre program, builds sets for the IU Opera Theater Paint Shop, and travels with family. In the future, he hopes to keep learning and sharing what he learns through performing and teaching.
Jillian Slade Dubuque, IA Jillian Slade attends Hempstead High School and is involved in GSA, French Club, Leadership Club, NHS, Cross Country, Student Council, Jazz Band, Orchestra, various choirs, Music Mentors, the Academy of Ballet, Heartland Ballet Company, Dubuque City Youth Ballet, and Tri-State Honors Saxophone Choir. Her favorite performers are Michael BublĂŠ and Barbra Streisand. In the future, Jillian cannot imagine doing anything besides singing and performing.
Eleri Ward Hinsdale, IL Eleri Ward was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and has been singing since she was a baby. She began professional training when she was eight years old. Eleri is a senior at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Although music and theatre demand most of her time with songwriting and performing in shows, she also enjoys photography and art. Her favorite performers are Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sutton Foster. In the future, she would like to be an actress and musician.
Jared Wells Terre Haute, IN Indiana native Jared Wells was born in Indianapolis and has lived in Terre Haute his whole life. He has been singing as long as he can remember from Kindermusic to a 3rd grade talent show where he discovered his calling. He attends Terre Haute North Vigo High School and is involved in History Bowl, Academic Super Bowl, Latin club, plays and musicals, Barbershop Harmony Society, and the Youth Group at his church. His favorite singer is Frank Sinatra.
Nick Ziobro Manlius, NY Nick Ziobro began singing at the age of eight in a production of The King and I and has been hooked on jazz and the Great American Songbook ever since. He is a sophomore at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and is involved with choir, drama, vocal jazz ensemble, and dance. He has appeared with the Syracuse Opera Company, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and CNY Jazz Orchestra. His favorite performers are Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Louis Armstrong.
Meet the Judges Michael Feinstein, Host Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum selling, five-time Grammynominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” is considered one of the premier interpreters of American Popular Song. More than a mere performer, he is nationally recognized for his commitment to the Great American Songbook, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation. In addition to serving as Artistic Director, Mr. Feinstein performs frequently at the Center for the Performing Arts and assists with programming.
Sandi Patty As one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and eleven million units sold, Sandi Patty is simply known as The Voice. Sandi is the most awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, with 40 Dove Awards. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and as an Indiana Living Legend in 2007. She has released over 30 albums, including her latest Dove Award winning album, The Edge of the Divine (2010). Her debut full length symphonic pops album Broadway Stories, conducted by Maestro Jack Everly, was released on October 18, 2011. In addition to her prolific musical career, Sandi is also an accomplished author. For the bestseller Broken on the Back Row, Sandi received the 2006 Silver Angel Award. Her other titles include Life in the Blender, Falling Forward, Layers, and her latest book, The Edge of the Divine. Sandi and her husband, Don, have eight children. They currently reside in Oklahoma City, OK.
Sylvia McNair Two-time Grammy Award winner and regional Emmy Award winner, Sylvia McNair lays claim to a three-decade, stellar career in the musical realms of opera, oratorio, cabaret and musical theater. Having appeared as a soloist multiple times with nearly every major opera company and symphony orchestra in the world, this songbird has flown the classical coop. She’s retracing her star route now with Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim, and Bernstein. A proud Buckeye from Mansfield, Ohio, Sylvia earned a Masters degree with Distinction from the Indiana University School of Music, received honorary doctorates from Westminster College (1997) and Indiana University (1998), the Ohio Governor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Entertainment (1999), and the Indiana Governor’s Arts Award (2011). She joined the prestigious voice faculty of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2006. In 2007, Sylvia received The Gaudium Award from The Breukelein Institute for “extraordinary and distinctive contributions to the arts and public life.”
Meet the Judges La Tanya Hall Ms. Hall is greatly in demand as an accomplished singer and actress, having lent her skills to numerous recording projects and theater, movie and television appearances. Her Broadway and New York theater performances include the role of Deena in the last national tour of Dreamgirls; Promises, Promises for New York City Center Encores!; and Sally in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. She is prominently featured on Bobby McFerrin’s 2010 release Vocabularies (Universal Music). Her first studio album, It’s About Time, was released on Bridge Records in early 2009 and has garnered enthusiastic international reviews. Accompanying her is a big band made up of many of New York’s leading jazz soloists and sidemen, performing arrangements by renowned orchestrator Angelo DiPippo. Her TV shows include “Blue Bloods” as Sabine Winston, “Law & Order,” “100 Centre Street,” “The Sopranos” and “Now and Again.”
Jim Caruso Jim Caruso was the founding member of the nationally
acclaimed, award-winning jazz vocal and comedy trio, Wiseguys. After performing in an all-star Inaugural extravaganza, they were invited to sing at President Clinton’s First State Dinner at the White House in an evening hosted by Lauren Bacall. The trio performed in concert at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, and in “the big room” with Rosemary Clooney. For the past seven years, he has hosted a weekly Monday night showbiz bash called “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party,” which has brought him a New York Nightlife Award, MAC Award and the Sidney Meyer Award. The weekly “Broadway at Birdland” series he produces has also been honored with a Nightlife Award. His series of weekly podcasts called “Here! On Broadway” was honored with a Summit Award.
Musicians David Duncan David Duncan is active as a pianist/accompanist, arranger and conductor in the Indianapolis area. He is currently accompanist for Encore Vocal Arts Ensemble of Indianapolis as well as staff accompanist at Franklin Central High School. Past credits as Music Director/Conductor include By George, It’s Gershwin, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Into The Woods, Music Man, Carousel, 1940’s Radio Hour, Children of Eden, and Seussical for The Boze Lyric Theatre of Anderson University. Other musical credits include work for Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Indiana Repertory Theater, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. David has served on the faculty of both Anderson and Taylor University and is currently Director of Music/Organist at Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis.
Gary Walters Gary Walters holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Ball State University and a Master of Music in Composition from Butler University. He has been on the faculty of Butler University’s School of Music since 2000. Gary has taught Introductory Jazz Piano for non-majors, Jazz Band II, Music Theory for Media Arts, and currently teaches Jazz Combo and Applied Jazz Piano. Gary records and tours with Rounder Records recording artist and Grammy winner Carrie Newcomer, a consummate singer-songwriter with 13 albums of original music and an audience across the United States. Gary performs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Jack Everly, accompanying guest artists including Sylvia McNair, Wayne Brady, Steve Lippia, Jeff Tyzik, Bebe Neuwirth, Leslie Uggams, and many others. He has performed with national recording artists Michael Feinstein, Alan Vizutti, Victor Krauss, Bobby Shew, and others. He has played in Broadway touring companies of Will Rogers Follies, Grease, and Oldies acts including Martha Reeves, The Marvelettes, Gary U.S. Bonds, Bobby Helms and others. Special thanks to: Frank Smith, bass Jon Crabiel, drums
Our Mission The two-fold mission of the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative is to bring the music of the Great American Songbook to young people today and to preserve it for future generations. We are committed to keeping this music alive through the following initiatives: » Regional and national high school vocal academies and competitions. » Multi-disciplinary curriculum for elementary through high school students. » Preservation of the physical artifacts of the creators, performers and publishers of the music. » Research facility for scholars, historians, and performers. » Multimedia gallery for exhibiting our collections to the public. We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. For more information please visit FeinsteinInitiative.org or contact one of our staff: Chris Lewis Director of Education 317.844.9446 clewis@FeinsteinInitiative.org
Lisa Lobdell Archivist 317.844.9457 llobdell@FeinsteinInitiative.org
Karen Kelsey Interim Director 317.844.9454 kkelsey@FeinsteinInitiative.org
Irwin & Betty Helford
Special Thanks to Irwin Helford Irwin Helford recently retired as Chairman of the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative. He helped found the Initiative in 2007 and has generously supported the organization. His leadership and philanthropy make events like the Vocal Academy and Competition possible. We thank him for his vision and for ensuring that the music of the Great American Songbook will always raise our spirits and sing in our hearts. In a recent interview, Irwin explained his dedication to the Great American Songbook and the Feinstein Initiative: Over the past decade, you have chosen to lend your leadership to American music projects, from recordings to television to the Initiative. What prompted your devotion to preserving American music and its history? Has music played a significant role in your life? “Growing up, music was always a part of our family life. My wife Betty and I love the Great American Songbook and appreciate the great songwriters and performers, like Michael Feinstein. It was Michael that convinced me how important it is to preserve this music and bring it to young people today. We want so much for our children and grandchildren to have the enjoyment and feelings of this music, its history and importance to America.”
Sharing the songbook with today’s youth is first and foremost the mission of the Initiative. If you could choose just one tune from the Songbook to introduce to the next generation, which song would you choose? Why? “It is pretty impossible to choose just one song. But my personal favorite would be ‘Our Love is Here to Stay,’ written by George and Ira Gershwin. It expresses the warmth of love between a man and woman, but also, as some of us believe, the love of a brother (Ira) for his recently deceased brother (George). Listening closely to the warmth of the lyrics by Ira, it can be interpreted either way. And this love song has now been treasured by Americans, and others, for over 70 years. In today’s world of lesser music, youngsters who take the time to listen to this and understand its simple meaning won’t ever forget it.” Note: Mr. Helford has been active in the office products industry for more than 50 years. He rose from sales trainee to President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. He is Chairman Emeritus, Viking Office Products, Inc. and Vice Chairman (retired), Office Depot, Inc. Mr. Helford is affiliated with a number of nonprofit organizations including the Michael J. Fox Foundation and City of Hope.
Board & Donors The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative Board Jeffrey C. McDermott Chairman Carolyn Anker Brook Babcock Sara Carruthers AJ Correale Rollin M. Dick Michael Feinstein Terrence Flannery Carlie Irsay-Gordon William Hammer Eric S. Payne Ronald G. Shaw Mike Strunsky Pamela Campbell Williams
Estate of Robert L. Payton Gretchen B. Perkins Resnick Family Foundation, Inc. Bruce & Jan Reynolds Margaret Cole Russell Share Inc. Ronald G. Shaw Jenzi Silverman Deborah Joy Simon Walter Stearns Roselyne Swig University of Indianapolis Betty White Leon Wulfe In Memory of Harry Lillis Crosby Scott Anthony Ables In Memory of Bob Grimes Carla Gordon
Donors
In Memory of Hermina Homolak
Ken Abraham Toni Alterman Ross Anderson Dave & Karen Arland Jack & Ila Badger John M. Bethards Mark & Jill Bonnett Alex Brown The Carruthers Family Delta Airlines Cheri & Rollin Dick Richard E. Ford Roderic Gorney Annie Gross Hamilton County Convention & Visitors Bureau William & Barbara Hammer Irwin & Betty Helford Chuck Huggins Ira & Leonore Gershwin Trusts Maurice Kanbar Douglas & Karen Kelsey John Klock Ken & Pam Knowles Ginny Mancini Mary Louise McCabe & Timothy Tayon Jeff & Britt McDermott Marianne Metz Dick M. Moe
Robert & Donna Ita James & Carol Lepi Jennifer Kral & Alex McAninch Louis & Paul Yafonaro, Jr.
Special Thanks Alfred Music Publishing Dave Black Julia Bonnett Jim Caruso Delta Airlines David Duncan Michael Feinstein Dr. Kathleen Hacker La Tanya Hall Sylvia McNair Sandi Patty The Center for the Performing Arts University of Indianapolis Gary Walters
Help Make a Difference Please consider a financial contribution to the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative • Help us encourage and recognize student talent to compensate for school budget cuts that eliminate music education and programs • Help us expand the Vocal Competition to 10 additional states in 2013 and nationally by 2015 • Help us engage students who go to school in underserved areas. All students participate in the Vocal Academy and Competition at no cost. The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative (Federal Tax I.D. #26-0620716) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can donate: In person this evening: Staff members are in the lobby and can accept cash, check and credit card donations On-Line: FeinsteinInitiative.org - Select “Support Us” By Check: Make check payable to: The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative Mail to: One Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032 By Credit Card/Phone: Please contact Stephanie Decker at 317-819-3520 in the Development Office We are grateful for your donation and thank you for supporting the next generation of The Great American Songbook.
Thank you for joining us this evening! We hope you enjoyed the Vocal Competition and meeting our ten high school finalists. Help us reach our goal to make this a national event! You can spread the word about the Vocal Competition by visiting our website FeinsteinInitiative.org or following us on: /feinsteininitiative /feinsteinfdn
THE MICHAEL FEINSTEIN GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK INITIATIVE One Center Green Carmel, IN 46032 www.FeinsteinInitiative.org p 317.844.9446 f 317.844.9456