SILER CITY, N.C. — Three local students took top prizes last night in “Sing and Play ’20,” the third-annual student music competition at Jordan-Matthews High School. From auditions through the showcase concert, the event is designed as an educational experience for young musicians and a benefit concert for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation.
Audience members voted Oliver Vang of Moncure School as best performance in the elementary division after his rousing vocal rendition of “Into the Unknown” from the film “Frozen II.”
Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School topped the middle school competition with her performance of “Take Me to Church,” a song written and recorded by Hozier.
And in the high school competition, Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School took the prize for her vocal performance of “The Chain,” a song written and recorded by Fleetwood Mac.
While “Sing and Play” is open to instrumental and vocal acts, all 16 students in this year's showcase competition performed vocally, though some accompanied themselves on piano, guitar or ukulele. The winner of each division received a $50 prize.
Greg Burriss, a musician who directs the annual competition, believes “Sing and Play” is a valuable experience for all student musicians — even those who don’t make it onto the concert stage.
“It’s always inspiring to see the talent and enthusiasm of young musicians in our showcase concert,” he said. “But we also are happy that so many can experience the entire process that musicians go through regularly to perform, including auditioning in a supportive environment, in front of accomplished musicians."
Rose Pate, president of JMArts, said she loves to see the support and cooperative spirit among all of the contestants. “Even though this is a competition, the students backstage were cheering the other performers,” she said. “Watching them dance and lip-sync to everyone’s songs showed just how much they all love music. I’m so glad we are able to give students from all over our area this chance to perform.”
All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts to provide opportunities for high school artists, including those participating in its third-annual New York Arts Adventure. That trip scheduled over spring break gives upperclass musicians, actors and visual artists an opportunity to explore one of the world’s great cities, experience the very best in the arts, and gain new perspectives and experiences that will influence their lives and work.
Students this year will have the opportunity to learn from Broadway actor and Tony Award nominee Andy Grotelueschen, noted graffiti writer Leaf and Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks. Other opportunities to interact with world-class artists are still being arranged.
Musicians from Chatham County and across the state were eligible for “Sing and Play.” Contestants in the showcase concert were selected by Burriss and musician Joseph Walden during auditions in early February.
Pate expects “Sing and Play” to return next year with registration for auditions opening sometime around December 1. JMArts is already looking at possible dates for next year’s competition, which is likely to be held once again in mid- to late-February.
More information about “Sing and Play” and other arts events scheduled this season is available at jmarts.org. Photos from this year's auditions and showcase concert are online at facebook.com/JMHSArts.
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Winners of “Sing and Play ’20” were, from left, Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School, Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School and Oliver Vang of Moncure School, all celebrating with concert host Lindley Andrew. (Photo by Chip Pate)
High School Winner: Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School. (Photo by Chip Pate)
Middle School Winner: Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School. (Photo by Chip Pate)
Elementary School Winner: Oliver Vang of Moncure School. (Photo by Chip Pate)