Michael Feinstein Launches 2015 American Songbook Academy

By: Jan. 30, 2015
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The Great American Songbook Foundation, founded by Grammy-nominated vocalist, Michael Feinstein, announces the opening of the 2015 application process for The Songbook Academy, a music and performance intensive for high school students! The application is available online at www.TheSongbook.org until March 25, 2015.

Now in its sixth year, the Songbook Academy provides high school singers in grades 9-12 with the life-changing opportunity to work with music industry professionals and educators from top college arts programs to experience firsthand the uniquely American and culturally significant music known as the Great American Songbook.

The Songbook Academy is a celebration of the Golden Age of American Popular music. This program is the only high school music intensive 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.

Chris Lewis, Songbook Academy Director, said "This national program has grown to become a comprehensive educational experience. Students have the rare opportunity to work one on one with world-class mentors to learn how to interpret classic American popular music, as well as what it takes to work as a performer today. Songbook Academy alumni have gone on to study in top college arts programs, record CDs, perform on national television, and have toured nationally."

Applications are judged by a panel of music educators and industry professionals, who will provide written feedback to every applicant. Approximately 40 students will be invited to attend the Songbook Academy week in Carmel, IN, July 18-25, where they will be mentored and further evaluated. Participants will be eligible for various recognition opportunities and awards. Participants will be eligible for the chance to be named Songbook Youth Ambassador, Songbook Inspiration Award Winner and Songbook Celebration Award winner. All participants will be named Songbook Scholars, receive a letter of recommendation for college applications, and letters highlighting their achievement will be sent to their high schools. All participants will become members of the Songbook Alumni Network and will have access to ongoing educational opportunities, access to scholarship opportunities, information on arts programs and audition opportunities, and invitations to participate and perform in future regional events.

The Songbook Academy will take place at the Songbook Foundation's headquarters in Carmel, IN, July 18-25, 2015. Students will participate in a seven-day academy on interpreting and performing the music of the Great American Songbook. Five-time Grammy nominee, Michael Feinstein, and other top music industry professionals and educators 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 Songbook Academy is one of the highlights of my year. The young people that participate are so full of talent and passion. I love having the opportunity to work with each of them and to see their growth over the course of the week. Not only do they learn a lot, but they build relationships with other talented singers and mentors from coast to coast. They make memories bursting with music and, in the process, develop character, confidence, and an appreciation for our musical history," said Michael Feinstein, founder of the Songbook Foundation and Songbook Academy.

The Songbook Academy was created to provide an opportunity for young people to experience firsthand this uniquely American music and its cultural significance.

The Songbook Academy is designed to be a collaborative, rewarding, and fun experience for all participants. Students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, and master classes with celebrity performers, music industry professionals, and educators from top college arts programs from across the country. The week's events will culminate in a live show on July 25, 2015, at the Palladium in Carmel, IN, where award winners will be selected.

World-class performers have served as coaches and mentors for the Songbook Academy. These talented individuals have shared a wealth of encouragement, inspiration, and performance techniques with students, for an amazing once in a lifetime experience. Past Songbook Academy mentors have included two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award nominee, Michael Feinstein; Two-time Grammy nominee, Jane Monheit; Two-time Grammy winner and Emmy winner, Sylvia McNair; multiple Grammy winner and member of Manhattan Transfer, Cheryl Bentyne; Catherine Adams Walker, University of Michigan, Musical Theatre Department; Kathleen Hacker, University of Indianapolis, Music Department.

6 Easy Steps to Apply:

  1. Visit www.TheSongbook.org to read official Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions
  2. Click Application Button
  3. Register and complete online application
  4. Upload color photo
  5. Upload recordings of two songs (MP3, MP4 or .wav formats accepted). Video recordings will not be accepted.
  6. Submit application fee of $50.00

If selected to participate in the Songbook Academy, a program fee of $600.00 will be due on or before June 5, 2015. The program fee includes:

  • Cost of supervised accommodations in a Butler University residence hall;
  • All meals on and off campus;
  • Transportation during the week; and
  • Participation in all workshops, master classes, mentor sessions and social activities throughout week

The program fee does not include travel expenses to and from Carmel, IN, for the Songbook Academy week.

For questions, students can reach Songbook Foundation staff at 317-844-9446 or by email at SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org.



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