Classical MPR Announces Minnesota Varsity Showcase Artists, New Award and Special Concert April 17

Apr 12, 2011

(St. Paul, Minn.)--April 12, 2011--Classical MPR announced today that admission is free to the First Annual Minnesota Varsity Showcase at the Fitzgerald Theater. Stars of the show are the best young classical talent in the state. The performers are five high school students; four chosen by a panel of celebrity judges and one picked by an online public vote. It's a multimedia show where the audience hears the winners, watches behind-the-scenes videos and meets Classical MPR hosts. Showcase artists will also receive a special cash award to celebrate their accomplishments.

This is your chance to be on hand for a wonderful new tradition. See and hear what happens when Minnesota's most promising young musicians play the classics.

FREE Admission: April 17, 2 p.m.
The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange St., Saint Paul, MN 55101
Bring the family to what's sure to be an uplifting and entertaining afternoon.

More about Minnesota Varsity

Minnesota Varsity is a new Classical MPR initiative to showcase the best young Minnesota musicians. Starting in early January, more than 130 high-school musicians submitted recordings of themselves performing. Fifteen were chosen by MPR staff for the Featured Round. Audio engineers from MPR made professional recordings of the fifteen performances, which were played on Classical MPR in mid-March, and are also available on the Classical MPR website. Celebrity judges who chose the finalists included Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra collaborator Sir Nicholas McGegan, the Minnesota Orchestra's Sarah Hicks, music educators Karen Bradley and Steve Boehlke, and Classical MPR's John Birge, Brian Newhouse and Steve Staruch.

"The decision on Showcase Artists was extremely difficult," says Brian Newhouse, managing director for Classical MPR and judge for the Showcase round. "It's been thrilling to share their talent with the listening audience, and soon with a live audience."

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