Contestants Set for ‘Sing and Play ’25’ Student Music Competition on February 20

SILER CITY, N.C. — Showcase contestants have been selected for “Sing and Play ’25,” the seventh-annual music competition hitting the stage later this month at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

The showcase concert on February 20 at 6:30 p.m. highlights talented student musicians throughout the area and raises money for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide what student artists need to excel.

General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each age-based competition. Tickets will be available at the door.

Judges Greg Burriss, Matt Fry and Sandra Gisel Lopez selected 20 musical acts during open auditions to perform in separate elementary, middle and high school competitions. Winners will be selected by audience vote and each receives a $50 cash prize.

Elementary contestants are Emily Bingle of Chatham Charter School, Madilyn Brown of Bonlee, Harley Gaddis of Silk Hope and Mariah McCrimmon and Samuel Melgar of Virginia Cross Elementary.

Middle school contestants are Shanita Asamoah Abetia of George Moses Horton, Emilia Culton of Margaret B. Pollard, the duet of Avery Jenkins and Craven Smithwick of Margaret B. Pollard, Avery Oldham of Chatham Middle, Emilia Smith Pumalpa of George Moses Horton and Madison Wilmoth of Chatham Middle.

The competition will conclude with nine high school performances. Six are by Jordan-Matthews musicians: Brianna Balderas, Felix Banks, Delaney Clark, Ari Ibarra, Natalie Morales Zagada and the quartet of Alexander Hernandez Rivas, Ciro Garcia, Emanuel Nolasco Bautista and Gianni Ocelot. Rounding out the high school roster will be Leesie Frosio Nelson of Chatham Early College, Ayana Lupoli-Rojas of Woods Charter and Kayle Maxfield of Chatham Early College.

This year’s showcase will feature a guest performance by Sandra Gisel Lopez, a JMArts Scholar, recent graduate of Jordan-Matthews and winner of last year’s high school competition.

The concert will be cohosted by Jordan-Matthews actor-musicians David Ta’Bon and Samantha Wieber.

“We are excited by the broad representation from across the county,” said JMArts President Rose Pate, who noted that performers from outside Chatham also were eligible. “And we are planning to offer translation services during the showcase so our Spanish-speaking families can fully enjoy the show!”

All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts for educational projects, including its flagship JMArts Scholars. Since being launched in 2012, the JMArts Scholars program has awarded 101 scholarships to 70 students for intensive study over the summer, usually at weeklong, residential workshops offered on university campuses. JMArts Scholars develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.

More information about “Sing and Play” performers will be published on JMArts social media. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are online at jmarts.org.

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Sandra Gisel Lopez, a JMArts Scholar and recent graduate of Jordan-Matthews, won the high school competition at last year’s event and will return to perform as guest artist for “Sing and Play ’25” on February 20 at Jordan-Matthews High School. The annual competition was created as a performance opportunity for student musicians and a fundraiser for JMArts. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Seventh-annual Sing and Play student music competition set for February

SILER CITY, N.C. — Sing and Play ’25, the seventh-annual music competition for students from elementary through high school, returns next month with auditions and its popular showcase concert at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

Instrumental and vocal acts will compete for a $50 prize awarded for the best performance in each of three age categories — elementary, middle school and high school. Acts may be individuals or ensembles up to four people, with all performers being full-time students in a North Carolina public, private or home school.

Auditions will be held by appointment in the Jordan-Matthews Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., when a panel of judges will select four to six acts in each age category to perform in the showcase competition. Auditions are held with an educational focus, providing an opportunity for young, aspiring performers to experience the audition process in a supportive environment. Individuals and ensembles planning to audition must register online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.

The Sing and Play Showcase competition concert will be Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following all performances, winners in each age category will be selected by audience vote. General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each category.

Last year’s winners were Ella Stewart of George Moses Horton Middle School in the elementary division, Josephine Chen of Woods Charter School in the middle school division and Sandra Gisel Lopez of Jordan-Matthews High School in the high school division. Sing and Play ’24 was hosted by JM actor-musicians Andrey Ureña-Seceña and Karsyn Vann. 

An overview of this year’s competition — including rules and a link to the registration form — is available online at jmarts.org/s/JMArtsSingandPlayRules25.pdf.

Sing and Play is an annual fundraiser for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit created to provide what student actors, artists, dancers and musicians need to excel.

All money raised by the competition will be used to expand opportunity for high school artists, including students honored as JMArts Scholars. Since being launched in 2012, JMArts has awarded 101 scholarships to 70 students for intensive study over the summer, usually at weeklong, residential workshops offered on university campuses. JMArts Scholars develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.

More information about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season is available at jmarts.org.

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Champions of Sing and Play ’24 with the show’s co-hosts are, from left, elementary champion Ella Stewart, co-host Andrey Ureña-Seceña, middle school champion Josephine Chen, high school champion Sandra Gisel Lopez and co-host Karsyn Vann. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Sandra Gisel Lopez of Jordan-Matthews took the prize in the high school competition at Sing and Play ’24 for her vocal performance of the Lauren song, “From the Start.” (Photo by Chip Pate)

Josephine Chen of Woods Charter School finished on top of the Sing and Play ’24 middle school competition with her vocal performance of “Rolling in the Deep.” (Photo by Chip Pate)

Audience members voted Ella Stewart, then a fifth-grader at George Moses Horton Middle School, as best performance in the Sing and Play ’24 elementary division for her vocal rendition of “When Will My Life Begin,” a song from the film “Tangled.” (Photo by Chip Pate)

JM Arts Students to Explore World-Class Art with Grant from Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund

SILER CITY, N.C. — More than 60 Jordan-Matthews High School arts students will have an opportunity to experience world-class performances this spring thanks to a grant from the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund.

The contribution made to JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, funds two of the five events in this inaugural season of Pinnacle of the Arts, a series allowing Jordan-Matthews students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

All events — including outstanding seating locations, transportation and a meal — are offered to students entirely free of charge. Most also provide personal interaction with the performers, who answer questions and provide expert perspective illuminating the artistic work students are encountering.

The Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund grant makes it possible for more than 30 Jordan-Matthews artists to attend the North Carolina Symphony’s upcoming performance of Beethoven Symphony No. 9, one of the world’s most renowned works of classical music. It also makes it possible for another group to attend the national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our Galloway friends,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. “Providing ‘pinnacle’ arts experiences for our students at no cost to families is one of our most important projects.”

Pinnacle of the Arts began in September with an international tour stop in Chapel Hill by contemporary music icon Herbie Hancock. Two events will be offered in December: a daylong, behind-the-scenes look at the North Carolina Museum of Art and opening night of Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of “The Nutcracker.” Those also are offered free of charge with contributions from another community foundation and two longtime JMArts members.

Becky Spence, chair of the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund grant committee, said it is a privilege for her group to award a grant for Pinnacle of the Arts. “The five art experiences for 30 students will broaden their knowledge of the arts and enrich their lives for years to come. What a great educational opportunity,” she said. “We at Galloway Ridge are happy to be a part of this special experience.”

More information about JMArts — including Pinnacle of the Arts, JMArts Scholars and other events throughout the arts season — is available at JMArts.org.

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JMArts launched their new Pinnacle of the Arts series earlier this fall when a group of JMArtists heard jazz legend Herbie Hancock perform in Chapel Hill. (Photo by Rose Pate)

More than 60 Jordan-Matthews High School arts students will experience world-class art this spring thanks to a grant from the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund.