Musical Performance Auditions to Begin for 150th Gala Performer

When the Chicago Cubs’ seventh-inning stretch singer competition is concluded, the country will focus its attention on the Illinois State University Gala competition in which ISU students will vie to be a solo performer at the Sesquicentennial Gala Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The Gala “red-tie” dinner will be a highlight of the year-long 150th celebration and will conclude the Homecoming Day activities.  The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of Bone Student Center, and among other musical offerings will be the solo performance by the winner of this competition.

Unlike the Cubs’ competition - which was limited to singers and to only one song - the Gala Program contest welcomes all forms of musical soloists, from accordions to singers to xylophones.  The student winner will perform at the Gala and receive a $500 award.

A select School of Music committee will judge the event beginning with a preliminary competition Sept. 15 in Kemp Recital Hall.  A schedule will be determined based on the quantity of applicants.  Soloists must supply their own accompanist and present no more than five minutes of their solo during the preliminary competition.  The finals will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, in Kemp Recital Hall.  The winner will be announced immediately following the finals competition.

Applications are available from the School of Music office, Centennial East room 230.  The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.  The preliminary competition schedule will be announced by 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10.