Classical Minnesota Public Radio Seeks Minnesota's Best Young Musicians for "Minnesota Varsity"

Dec 6, 2010

Submissions to Minnesota Varsity will be accepted Jan. 3-Feb. 15, 2011

Frequent Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra collaborator Nicholas McGegan, Minnesota Orchestra's Sarah Hicks, and other celebrity judges to review submissions

(St. Paul, Minn.)--December 6, 2010--Classical MPR announced today that it is launching Minnesota Varsity: a program to showcase the best young Minnesota classical musicians. The program will accept submissions from January 3 to February 15, 2011.

To participate in Minnesota Varsity, classical music students ages 14-18--vocalists, instrumental soloists and small ensembles--from around the state are asked to submit a recording of themselves performing.

Daniel Gilliam, program director, Classical MPR, can't wait for the fun to begin.

"As a new 'Minnesotan,' I can only imagine what energy and creativity we'll hear from around the state!" said Gilliam. "I'm always excited to hear what young musicians have up their sleeves. We encourage all young musicians to participate."

Classical MPR staff will screen all submissions and choose 15-20 for the Featured Round. Those chosen for the Featured Round will be matched with a professional recording engineer to produce a high-quality recording. These recordings will be played for a panel of celebrity judges from the Minnesota classical scene--including frequent Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra collaborator Nicholas McGegan, Minnesota Orchestra's Sarah Hicks, Classical MPR's John Birge, Brian Newhouse and Steve Staruch, and others.

The judges will then choose five performers for the Showcase Round, who will be asked to perform in a special live production at MPR's Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul on April 17, 2011.

Submissions to Minnesota Varsity: All rules and information will be posted online at classicalmpr.org/varsity starting January 3, 2011. Submissions will be accepted Jan. 3 to Feb. 15, 2011.

Minnesota Varsity Showcase Round concert:
Sunday, April 17 2 p.m.
MPR's The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul
Tickets: $15; $13 for MPR Members. Call The Fitzgerald Theater box office, 651-290-1200 or go to fitzgeraldtheater.org.

Minnesota Varsity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Classical MPR can be heard in the Twin Cities on KSJN 99.5 FM. A complete list of Classical MPR stations can be accessed online at minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/stations.