Morgan Park Summer Music Festival Seeks Young Talent

The Marguerite Suozzi Young Performers Talent Competition is gearing up for this year's Morgan Park Summer Music Festival. Each year the festival conducts auditions talented young musicians who live or go to school on Nassau County's North Shore.

Entrants, who may be vocalists or instrumentalists between the ages of 10 and 19, may audition for three prizes.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at 28 Highland Avenue in Glen Cove.

The following prizes will be awarded:

• Senior Winner (Age 15-19), $1,000
• Junior Winner (Age 10-14), $500
• Second Place Winner (Age 10-19), $500

Winners must be available to perform at Morgan Park Summer Music Festival on Sunday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. and will receive their prizes at the conclusion of the concert.

At the April 21 auditions, applicants will be asked to perform two pieces in contrasting styles (e.g.: classical, jazz, pop, etc.) and are expected to bring their own live or recorded accompaniment. A piano will be available for use by contestants.

The Young Performers Talent Competition offers an opportunity for young people who are interested in pursuing a career in music to perform before a select jury and/or on stage before a large audience.

• Actress/singer Nikki Blonsky who starred in "Hairspray" with John Travolta.
• Locust Valley resident Alexis Kende, who along with her two sisters performed for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
• Many others who went on to have distinguished careers as music educators, composers and performers.

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, April 10. Applications may be downloaded at morganparkmusic.org.

Photo of Previous Winners of MPSMF's Young Performers Competition, courtesy of Tab Hauser