Fearrington Village Singers Donation Creates 2023 JMArts Scholarships in Music

SILER CITY, N.C. — More musicians at Jordan-Matthews High School will have an opportunity to study music and experience life on a college campus this summer thanks to a contribution to JMArts by the Fearrington Village Singers.

Musicians, donors and patrons of the choral group based in Fearrington Village made a one-time, $4,000 gift to establish 2023 JMArts-Fearrington Village Singers scholarships as part of JMArts Scholars. The flagship project of JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, allows JM actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists to pursue intensive fine arts study over the summer, usually at weeklong residential programs based on college campuses.

Scholarships funded by the Fearrington Village Singers will focus on students studying vocal and instrumental music.

Since being launched in 2012, JMArts has presented 80 scholarships to 56 students, with some receiving awards to study for more than one summer. The initiative was designed to help young artists develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions, experience life on campus and bring what they learn back to share with other JM students.

Seven students were named JMArts Scholars last year. Victoria Barlow and Clara Rojas attended the UNCG Summer Art and Design Intensive in Greensboro. David Ta'Bon and Karsyn Vann attended the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Senior High Band in Greensboro. Buck Thornton attended the Summer Youth Conservatory Theatre Intensive at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill. Andrey Ureña-Seceña attended the Temple Theatre Musical Theatre Conservatory in Sanford. And Traycee Wall attended the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Senior Mixed Chorus in Greensboro.

The number of scholarships offered each summer depends on contributions received throughout the year. Scholarships are funded by primarily by individual and organizational contributions to the foundation, but also by community fundraisers and ticket sales for the annual musical and major concerts during the academic year. This year’s annual musical, “Shrek The Musical,” opens later this month with performances on March 30, March 31 and April 2.

Organizations and individuals interested in contributing to JMArts Scholars may contact JMArts President Rose Pate at info@jmarts.org. Contributions are accepted online at JMArts.org or can be mailed to JMArts, PO Box 395, Siler City, NC, 27344.

More information about JMArts, including a schedule of all upcoming arts events and information on membership, is available online at JMArts.org.

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2022 JMArts Scholars studying last summer were, from left, Clara Rojas, Karsyn Vann, David Ta’Bon, Traycee Wall, Andrey Ureña-Seceña, Victoria Barlow and, in front, Buck Thornton. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Student musicians take top prizes in JMArts’s fifth-annual “Sing and Play”

SILER CITY, N.C. — Three local students took top prizes last night in “Sing and Play ’23,” the fifth-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 Emma Ortiz of Pittsboro Elementary as best performance in the elementary division for her vocal rendition of “Never Enough,” a Benj Pasek and Justin Paul song from the film, “The Greatest Showman.”

Hailey King of George Moses Horton Middle School finished on top of the middle school competition with her vocal performance of “Fingers Crossed,” a song recorded and cowritten by Lauren Spencer-Smith.

And in the high school competition, Clara Rojas of Jordan-Matthews High School took the prize for singing Carly Simon’s classic, “You’re So Vain.”

Though this year’s winners were all vocalists, “Sing and Play” also featured instrumental performances on electric guitar, violin and piano. The winner in each of the three divisions received a $50 prize.

Rose Pate, president of JMArts, said the whole event is a real team effort. “This is a collaboration of the Jordan-Matthews students, parents and staff,” she said. “I’m so proud how everyone worked together to produce this great night of family entertainment.”

All money raised by the competition is used by JMArts to expand opportunity for high school artists, including those participating in the 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; Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks and a notable graffiti writer working in the city. 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 judges Jennifer Benitez, Greg Burriss and Matt Fry during auditions held 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 showcase concert are online at facebook.com/JMHSArts.

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Champions of “Sing and Play ’23” with the show’s co-hosts are, from left, Clara Rojas of Jordan-Matthews High School, co-host Sanaiya Cheek, Emma Ortiz of Pittsboro Elementary, Hailey King of George Moses Horton Middle and co-host Louis Graham. (Photo by Chip Pate)

High School Winner: Clara Rojas of Jordan-Matthews High School. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Middle School Winner: Hailey King of George Moses Horton Middle School. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Elementary School Winner: Emma Ortiz of Pittsboro Elementary. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Contestants set for "Sing and Play '23" student music competition on Feb. 23

SILER CITY, N.C. — Showcase contestants have been selected for “Sing and Play ’23,” the fifth-annual music competition hitting the stage later this month at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

The showcase concert on February 23 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.

Judges Jennifer Benitez, Greg Burriss and Matt Fry selected 15 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 Joy Forester of Chatham Grove Elementary, Evelyn Miranda of Virginia Cross Elementary, Emma Ortiz of Pittsboro Elementary and Zoey Ortiz of Pittsboro Elementary.

Middle school contestants are Ares Adams of Chatham Middle, London Crowling of Margaret B. Pollard Middle, William Forester of Margaret B. Pollard Middle, Sarah Hill of George Moses Horton Middle, Hailey King of George Moses Horton Middle and Eleanor Reece of Silk Hope School.

The competition will conclude with five high school performances. Ari Ibarra, Natalie Morales Zagada, Clara Rojas, Elisa Vasquez Perez and Traycee Wall all represent Jordan-Matthews.

This year’s showcase will feature a guest performance by Buck and Maggie Thornton, also of Jordan-Matthews High School, who won last year's high school competition. 

“We’re looking forward to another great show featuring students from all over Chatham County,” said JMArts President Rose Pate, who noted that performers from outside Chatham also were eligible. “It’s great to provide a chance for students to perform on the ‘big stage’ and the showcase celebrates them as they grow musically from first through twelfth grade.”

All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts for educational projects, including its New York Arts Adventure. That annual 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.

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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Buck and Maggie Thornton of Jordan-Matthews High School won the high school competition at last year’s event and will return to perform as guest artists at Sing and Play ’23 on February 23 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)