Finalists announced for Great American Songbook Competition
For Current in Carmel

The Michael Feinstein Foundation recently announced the 10 finalists that will participate in the only high school vocal academy and competition in the U.S. dedicated solely to the music from Broadway, Hollywood musical theatre and the Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-twentieth century.  
 

From June 2-6, 2010, the finalists will participate in a five-day comprehensive “bootcamp” on interpreting and performing this music held in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center’s Ruth Lilly Performance Hall at the University of Indianapolis.  Led by local and national celebrity performers and professionals, workshops will cover topics ranging from breathing and microphone techniques to one-on-one coaching and master-classes. The classes are intended to prepare finalists for the Final Competition performance at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 5, when each student performs two songs and the top three winners will be announced. Second and third place winners will receive $500 each towards continuing music education.  
 

The first place winner wins the chance of 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 Foundation, Michael Feinstein. 
 

The 2010 Great American Songbook High School Academy and Competition Finalists are:

Amanda Barnett, Rockport, IN

Gabriela Carrillo, Palatine, IL

Crofton Coleman, Champaign, IL

Tyler Huckstep, Crawfordsville, IN*

Andrew Johnston, Bourbonnais, IL*

Krystal Morris, Beavercreek, OH

Bethany Perkins, Brighton, MI

Madeline Raube, Glen Ellyn, IL

Jillian Slade, Dubuque, IA

Annie Yokom, Naperville, IL 
 

*Andrew Johnston and Tyler Huckstep were finalists in the inaugural Academy and Competition last year. Huckstep received second place.  
 

“I had an amazing experience last year and I want to try to recapture it all over again,” said Tyler, who is a junior at Crawfordsville High School.  “The knowledge I gained from the incredible instructors last year made me want to come back and continue learning from the best.” 
 

Finalists were selected from more than 100 applicants, ranging from 9^th to 12^th grade from all seven eligible states:  Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa.  
 

Five Judges will teach workshops, master-classes and conduct one-on-one coaching: 
 

Michael Feinstein - Broadway star, international performer and recording artist, and co-founder of the Michael Feinstein Foundation.
 
 

Sylvia McNair - two-time Grammy Award winner and world-renowned star of the opera, oratorio, cabaret and musical theatre; currently teaching at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. 
 

Susan Powell - former Miss America (1981) from Oklahoma is a popular performer not only in opera, concert and theatre stages around the world, but also hosted her own series on The Discovery Channel called "Home Matters" for 12 seasons. 
 

Catherine Russell - International jazz and blues performer and critically-acclaimed recording artist who was inspired by her father’s work as Louis Armstrong’s music director.  Her new album, Inside This Heart of Mine, is #1 on JazzWeek’s chart for national radio airplay. 
 

Richard Walters - a composer, arranger, pianist, vocal coach and vice president of classical and vocal publications at Hal Leonard Corporation.  
 

Local performers, teachers and musicians will also teach workshops and accompany the finalists including Dr. Kathleen Hacker, Chair of the Music Department, Director of Vocal Studies and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Indianapolis; Mark Gilgallon, Adjunct Professor of Voice at Butler University and Director of Music at North United Methodist Church; Steven Stolen, Managing Director of the Indiana Repertory Theatre and former Chair of the Music Department at Butler University; Shannon Forsell, Managing Director of The Cabaret at the Columbia Club; Gary Walters, Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano at Butler University; and David Duncan, an active pianist/accompanist, arranger and performer.  
 

Feinstein, who is also the artistic director of Carmel’s Regional Performing Arts Center, feels that it is his personal mission to perpetuate this music for generations to come.  
 

“Songs and artists from the early and mid-1900’s seem to be less appreciated and diluted by the music of the new millennium,” said Feinstein. “Many children are never exposed to the wonderful and uniquely American music that constitutes the Great American Songbook. Through this competition, we are reaching a new generation to teach this music and the American history that inspired and influenced these composers.” 
 

Public invited for Great American Songbook weekend

The public is invited to enjoy portions of the weekend at following events:

Friday, June 4, 1:00 p.m. Master Class.  Judges Michael Feinstein and Sylvia McNair will coach each finalist through vocal selections from the Great American Songbook that he/she will sing for the Final Competition, June 5. Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1400 Hanna Ave., Indianapolis.  Tickets are $15 each and available online http://FeinsteinFdnMasterClassJune4.eventbrite.com or call 317.985.5523. 

Friday, June 4, 6:00 p.m. Michael and Friends: A Fundraising Dinner and Cabaret.  Finalists and the public will have the opportunity to hear the Judges perform following dinner at The Cabaret at the Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis.  Tickets are $150 per person for dinner and performance.  For $250 per person, guests are invited to a VIP cocktail reception with celebrity Judges and hear Feinstein play the piano once played by famous Hoosier composer Hoagy Carmichael when in residence at the Columbia Club. Purchase online http://MichaelandFriendsJune4.eventbrite.com or call 317.985.5523.

Saturday, June 5, 7:30 p.m.  Final Competition. The big night when the 10 Finalists will sing for the chance to go to New York City!  Tickets are $25 each or $40 for VIP seating. Purchase onlinehttp://finalcompetitionjune5.eventbrite.com or call 317.985.5523.

Arts center receives $1.6 million from city
For Current in Carmel

The Center for the Performing Arts, the four-venue arts complex now under construction in downtown Carmel, will receive a $1,635,000 million grant from the City of Carmel to assist in paying start-up expenses. The Center will use the grant to fund a variety of operating costs such as core staff salaries, box office functions and performance booking during the current pre-opening period, when it does not yet have ticket sales and other earned income.

“We are grateful to the Mayor and the City Council for this renewed demonstration of their commitment to the Center for the Performing Arts,” stated executive director Steven Libman. “This is not only an investment in the arts and the city’s quality of life but in the long-term economic growth of Carmel. Thanks to this funding, we move another step forward toward our exciting opening in January, when our magnificent concert hall and theaters will begin welcoming the world to our stages.”

Carmel Symphony Orchestra president Dr. Alan Davis stated, “This grant will enable the Center to lay the foundation for its future success. The CSO is thrilled to be an integral partner in this magnificent new resource for Carmel and the region.” 

Rollin Dick, board chairman of the Center, commented, “The Center under Steven Libman’s direction is implementing a business model that will encourage revenue for years to come. Our fundraising will also continue, and will grow stronger as the Center celebrates its inaugural season. With the support of the City of Carmel and the entrepreneurial approach of our own leadership, we are positioning the Center for success for years to come.”

Aumun Drive closed for path installation
For Current in Carmel

On Thursday, April 22, 2010 Auman Drive West was closed at 126th Street.  The purpose of the closure is to begin clearing and grading for phase one of a multi-use path installation project. 
 
The multi-use path will be constructed on the south side of 126th Street and when complete, will provide a continuous walking path from the Mohawk Hills apartment complex to Range Line Road.  Path completion is scheduled for the fall of 2010.
 
The closure of Auman Drive West at 126th Street will also relieve congestion along 126th Street during construction of interchanges along Keystone Parkway.  The City is working with adjacent property owners to select landscaping to replace trees removed during the project.  The multi-use path installation will also improve line of sight to allow for the permanent removal of the stop signs on 126th Street at Auman Drive West.  Permanent removal of the stop signs will be discussed in a future meeting of the Carmel City Council. 
 
Phase two of the project will extend sidewalk and drainage improvements south along Oswego Road and west along Napanee, also connecting with Range Line Road.  City engineers have met with area neighbors to brief them on the project and its estimated timeline.