Public Support Leads to Celebrity Judging in Georgia Symphony’s Talent Competition
T
he dancers, instrumentalists and vocalists competing in the Georgia Symphony Orchestra’s Virtual to Center Stage talent competition need support on social media from family, friends and the general public to win. The competition opened for video audition submissions on Feb. 1, 2021, to Georgia residents, ages eight and up, in any musical style. Amateurs through professionals, including solo entrants or groups up to 10, were eligible to enter. “Given the hardships the entertainment industry endured over the past year due to COVID-19, we wanted to provide an opportunity for public recognition to
undiscovered artists,” said GSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville. In addition to a live performance opportunity with the GSO in its 2021-22 concert season, the winner(s) also will receive a prize package valued at nearly $1,200. Following an initial round of internal judging, the top-rated contestants’ video audition submissions now move through three rounds of public voting on the GSO’s Facebook and YouTube pages and talent. georgiasymphony.org. The final five contestants will be judged by a panel of talented local performing arts celebrities, including:
Andy Gaines: General manager of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre.
Shuler Hensley: Award-winning Broadway, OffBroadway, film and TV star, and an integral part of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards— Shuler Hensley Awards.
Earl Reece: Former executive director of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre and former director of the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School.
Jennifer Holloway: Atlanta native and internationally recognized opera singer and actor.
Public voting ends on June 13, 2021. The competition’s winner, runner up and community pick will be announced on June 18, 2021. Atlanta ShowGuide magazine is proud to serve as the competition’s media sponsor. Sponsorship donations benefit the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra program, including its scholarship fund, which provides music education opportunities to students with financial need.
Oral Moses: Internationally recognized bass baritone vocalist and artistic director of The Negro Spiritual, Inc.
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