Sing and Win

Inland Master Chorale invites local high school vocalists to compete for cash awards at a competition set for Saturday, April 12th at Redlands’ First United Methodist Church. Top prize is $600, with $400 for second place and $200 for third. The competition honors long-time Chorale member and frequent tenor soloist Dennis Nelson who passed away in 2010. Experienced vocalists living in the San Bernardino Valley and the Banning/Beaumont area of Riverside County are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a junior or senior in high school planning to pursue vocal studies beyond high school. Auditions before a competition judge must include two pieces in contrasting style with one in a language other than English. Accepted repertoire includes art songs, operatic arias, spirituals and folk songs. No pre-recorded accompaniment allowed. The application deadline is April 4th. There is a $15 application fee. The 2013 first place winner was Tori Waner, a senior at Big Bear High School. In 2012 Jodi Cline, also from Big Bear, took top honors. Competition winners will be invited to perform as soloist during the Inland Master Chorale’s 2014-15 season. Under the direction of Roger W. Duffer and associate director Melva Morrison, Inland Master Chorale, is in its 34th season. The program brings together over 60 vocalists from throughout the Inland Empire. Their season finale is “Great American Songbook” scheduled for May 17th and 18th. Complete details and application forms are available online at www.inlandmasterchorale.org.