Local Vocalists Named Finalists in International Contest

Doylestown PA

08 February, 2021

8:07 AM

Description

The nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center (OHMTEC) is proud to announce the finalists in their international solo contest. The finalist list includes four Doylestown students: Elementary Division, Addison Rogers singing The Sound of Music from The Sound of Music, Middle School Division, Helena Badiali singing This Nearly was Mine from South Pacific, High School Division, Sierra Safran singing All The Things You Are from Very Warm for May and in the College Division, Taylor Mitchell singing The Sound of Music from The Sound of Music. Their entries along with all the finalists can be viewed at the Contest Web Page. Winners will be announced on Friday, February 12th at 8pm during a Facebook Live event from Oscar Hammerstein's home. OHMTEC, which is in the midst of a nationwide fundraising campaign, was pleased to offer this opportunity for singers of all ages to display their talents and celebrate the works of the "Father of Broadway," who contributed lyrics to over 800 songs that continue to reverberate around the world. The contest is the brainchild of OHMTEC Board Member and Music Educator, Jaime Rogers, in response to the challenges of teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rogers stated, "Singing together live as an ensemble is on hold for the time being, but that does not mean that we cannot work on our musicianship and vocal technique as individuals. This solo contest served as a viable performance opportunity for interested students and brought the sheer talent to light of so many performers." OHMTEC is dedicated to providing education and performance opportunities to theatre students and performers around the globe and will continue to support the efforts of those who are studying and emulating Oscar Hammerstein II's work and legacy. Oscar and his wife, Dorothy, lived with their family at Highland Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania for the last 20 years of his life. This is the place where he forged his legendary partnership with Richard Rodgers and that inspired many of their greatest musical works, including The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Showboat, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. It is also the place where Hammerstein mentored a young Stephen Sondheim, and where he contributed to society by increasing our awareness of social issues and the need for tolerance of diversity. The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center has been raising funds to support the non-profit's ongoing vision to secure the Highland Farm property and realize the dream of a museum and theatre education center on the site of Oscar's home. Fundraising success will allow the non-profit to secure, renovate, and preserve Highland Farm, the Hammerstein property located at 70 East Road in the heart of Doylestown, PA, and convert the home and barn into a Museum and Theatre Education Center. The initial fundraising target, which will secure theproperty and ensure its preservation into the future, has been set at $2 million. Donations of any amount are welcome and can be made by check, credit card or appreciated securities. Special naming opportunities are also available. Please contact Treasurer Christine Junker for details at [email protected]. To contribute to the effort to #SaveOscarsHome, please visit www.HammersteinMuseum.org.