Three local students take prizes in third-annual "Sing and Play"

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)

Sing and Play ’20 moved to snow date; music competition is now February 26

SILER CITY, N.C. — With the threat of winter weather, Sing and Play’ 20 has been moved to its snow date.

The third-annual student music competition will now be held on Wednesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

It was a difficult decision, said Rose Pate, president of JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, which produces the event to raise money for high school musicians, actors and artists. While the forecast was still uncertain on Wednesday morning, JMArts was advised that there was a significant chance that all after-school activities for Thursday would be canceled — and that a decision could come as late as Thursday morning.

“Making a decision that late wasn’t something we could do,” Pate said. “We have so many families and volunteers participating in the show that we needed to respect their schedules and their plans. We hope everyone will now come out next week to see their friends and neighbors perform and enjoy this very fun, uplifting show."

Musical acts selected during auditions will perform in separate elementary, middle and high school competitions.

Elementary contestants are Dahlia Neff Burt of Siler City Elementary, Ember Lindley of Silk Hope School, Lainey Parker of Praise Homeschool and Oliver Vang of Moncure School.

Middle school contestants are Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School, Cameron Parker of Praise Homeschool, Natalie Zagada Morales of Chatham Middle School and one duet act featuring Katelyn Emerson of Chatham Middle School and Mylana Fulcher of Siler City Elementary.

The competition will conclude with seven high school performances. Mark Aguiluz, Laci Burt, Litzy Garcia, Kayli McIntosh, Rilee Rains and Edith Soto compete from Jordan-Matthews High School. Luz Borrayo represents Chatham Charter School.

Two guest performances also are on the program. This year’s showcase will feature past winners Jennifer Trejo Benitez of Jordan-Matthews and Jack and Jillian Dixon of Silk Hope.

“Sing and Play” is open to both instrumental and vocal acts, with students competing for a $50 prize in each age division. Winners will be selected by audience vote during the showcase concert.

General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each age-based competition.

More information about “Sing and Play” and other events scheduled for this season are online at jmarts.org.

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Contestants set for “Sing and Play” music competition on February 20

SILER CITY, N.C. — Showcase contestants have been selected for “Sing and Play ’20,” the third-annual music competition scheduled for February 20 at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

The showcase concert highlights talented student musicians and raises money for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide what student artists need to excel.

Fifteen musical acts selected during auditions will perform in separate elementary, middle and high school competitions.

Elementary contestants are Dahlia Neff Burt of Siler City Elementary, Ember Lindley of Silk Hope School, Lainey Parker of Praise Homeschool and Oliver Vang of Moncure School.

Middle school contestants are Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School, Cameron Parker of Praise Homeschool, Natalie Zagada Morales of Chatham Middle School and one duet act featuring Katelyn Emerson of Chatham Middle School and Mylana Fulcher of Siler City Elementary.

The competition will conclude with seven high school performances. Laci Burt, Litzy Garcia, Kayli McIntosh, Rilee Rains, Edith Soto and Amari Yarborough compete from Jordan-Matthews High School. Luz Borrayo represents Chatham Charter School.

Two guest performances also are on the program. This year’s showcase will feature past winners Jennifer Trejo Benitez of Jordan-Matthews and Jack and Jillian Dixon of Silk Hope.

“Each year we’re delighted to see the variety of talent and expression among the young people in our county,” said Greg Burriss, who directs the competition and selected showcase contestants with his fellow judge, Joseph Walden. “We consider it a privilege to offer this audition and performance opportunity to so many aspiring musicians.

“We know that young performers can benefit from the challenge of competition and the chance to audition in front of accomplished artists. We are grateful that they allow us to know them and see their talent.”

“Sing and Play” is open to both instrumental and vocal acts, with students competing for a $50 prize in each age division. Winners will be selected by audience vote during the showcase concert on February 20, 6:30 p.m., at Jordan-Matthews.

General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each age-based competition.

JMArts president Rose Pate expects another lively showcase. “With the continued popularity of TV shows like ‘The Voice’ and ‘America’s Got Talent’ it’s clear that music contests have tremendous appeal,” she said. “And for our students, the experience of standing on that stage and performing for an enthusiastic, live audience is a thrill like no other.”

All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts for educational projects, including its 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 that will influence their lives and work.

Not only will travelers attend performances on and off Broadway, but they will learn from world-class professionals. That includes discussing theater over lunch with The Washington Post chief theater critic Peter Marks; discussing life in the arts with Tony Award nominee Andy Grotelueschen, who recently performed in the Broadway musical “Tootsie”; and exploring street art in Brooklyn and learning graffiti technique in a hands-on workshop.

More information about “Sing and Play” performers will be available online at facebook.com/JMHSArts. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are online at jmarts.org.

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Jack and Jillian Dixon of Silk Hope School perform at Sing and Play ’19, the annual music competition for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the area. Having won their elementary competition last year, the duo will perform as guest musicians this month at Sing and Play ’20 on February 20 at Jordan-Matthews High School.

Joseph Walden, from left, Greg Burriss and Rose Pate evaluate auditions for Sing and Play ’20. Audience members will select winners in separate elementary, middle and high school competitions during the Sing and Play showcase concert on February 20 at Jordan-Matthews High School.

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