Raleigh, NC -- Triangle, have you got talent? The North Carolina Symphony is holding its first Triangle Talent Search in Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 25, with the winner or winners earning a chance to perform live with the Symphony as a featured soloist on New Year's Eve.
“People who never thought they could perform with the North Carolina Symphony now have that opportunity," says Scott Freck, North Carolina Symphony Vice President for Artistic Operations and General Manager and one of the judges of the competition.
The Search is open to vocalists and instrumentalists either as individuals or in performing groups, from any genre of music, be it classical, rock, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, Broadway, opera, hip hop or something else.
“The trick is that it has to work with the Symphony somehow," says Freck, noting that the Symphony has collaborated with artists as wide-ranging as Yo-Yo Ma and Ben Folds. It recently held a successful benefit featuring jazz great Branford Marsalis onstage with headliners from throughout the bluegrass, gospel, folk, classical and jazz worlds.
“The more the better," he says, “and we'll make a great show out of it."
Winners will be invited to perform live with the North Carolina Symphony during its New Year's Eve Celebration in downtown Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall, under the baton of Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks. The Triangle Talent Search will be judged by Freck, Hicks and Raleigh News and Observer music critic David Menconi.
“It's all about finding someone who is compelling," says Freck, “who has a distinct talent or voice and can connect with an audience. Someone who creates a spark."
Reservations are required to audition. Media support is provided by the Raleigh News and Observer. Complete information on the auditions and the North Carolina Symphony can be found at www.ncsymphony.org/talentsearch.
