Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School Announces Young Stars of Maine Prize Program 2014

Former Young Stars of Maine Prize Winners, Left to right: Duncan Hall , Teal Vickery, Fiona Boyd, Sam McKenna

Rockport, Maine - Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School in Rockport is pleased to announce the Young Stars of Maine Prize Program 2014. For more than 50 years, Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School has held this annual prize program to recognize, encourage, and reward young Maine music students who are serious in their study and performance of music. Prizes of $1,000, in each of eight performance categories, will be awarded to individuals and ensembles ages 11-25. This prize program is open to the public, and all young Maine music students are encouraged to apply.

Young Stars of Maine 2014 Prize Program applicants should note that the deadline for applications is April 18. Live auditions will be held by invitation only on May 3, 2014. This exciting prize program will culminate in the Young Stars of Maine Prize Program 2014 Concert featuring the prize winners at the Rockport Opera House on Sunday May 18, 2014, to which the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The Young Stars of Maine Prize Program 2014 prize categories are:
• The Eleanor Erdman and Diane Nixon Vocal Excellence Prize of $1000 Open to solo vocalists. Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.
• The A. H. Chatfield, Jr. Piano Prize of $1000 Open to solo pianist.  Age minimum: 14 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.
• Summer Music Prize for Cello of $1000 Open to solo cellists. Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 24 years old.
• The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior Prize of $1000
Instrumental or vocal, solo. Age minimum: 18 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.
• The Elsie Bixler Junior Prize of $1000 Instrumental, solo. Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 17 years old.
• Ezra Rachlin Prize for Excellence of $1000 Instrumental or vocal, solo. Age minimum: 16 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.
• The Nathan E. Corning Jazz Prize of $1000 Instrumental or vocal, solo or group*. Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 23 years old.
• The Kathie Johnson Chamber Music Prize of $1000 Instrumental, group of 3-8 players* (shared prize). Age maximum: 23 years old.
*Members of any ensemble must be from Maine; each group is limited to one non-Maine member.

For more information about Young Stars of Maine 2014, or any of Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School’s offerings, please call 207-236-2823 or visit www.baychamberconcerts.org.