St. Louis Blues partner with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to host National Anthem auditions for the third year
Winner to perform at an upcoming Blues home game during 2019/2020 season, join rotation of Blues Anthem singers
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(July 22, 2019, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced the return of their National Anthem contest to showcase the talent of St. Louisans at a Blues home game during the 2019/2020 season. This marks the third year of this collaborative partnership, which will give a soloist or small group an opportunity to perform the National Anthem prior to a Blues game.
Performers of all ages are encouraged to enter, including soloists, vocal performing groups, instrumentalists, and small instrumental groups. To be considered for an audition, performers must first submit an online video entry at http://bit.ly/32MPxhd before Friday, August 16, at noon. Finalists will be invited to an in-person audition at Powell Hall to perform live in front of a panel of judges. The blind auditions are structured the same way musicians audition for the SLSO.
The Blues and its long-time National Anthem singer Charles Glenn made headlines around the world this year as the Blues made their improbable run for the Stanley Cup. Glenn, who announced his retirement as full-time Blues Anthem singer in January, is excited to help select another singer to perform at Blues games.
Auditions will be judged by Glenn, Director of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus Kevin McBeth, Kennedy Holmes – St. Louis native and fourth-place finisher on Season 15 of NBC's hit show The Voice, James Bertels – a winner in the inaugural contest, and an SLSO musician. The game at which the winner will perform will be announced at a later date.
Last year, more than 100 performers entered the contest and more than 30 were invited to the final auditions, held at Powell Hall. Matt Pentecost, 34, a music teacher in the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District, was named the winner.
For additional information and to submit an online entry, please visit www.stlouisblues.com.
About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Celebrated as one of today's most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 140th year with the 2019/2020 season and its first with Music Director Stéphane Denève. Widely considered one of the world's finest orchestras, the SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community connections – all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
In addition to its regular concert performances at Powell Hall, which has been the permanent home of the SLSO for more than 50 years, the orchestra is an integral part of the diverse and vibrant St. Louis community, presenting dozens of free education and community programs and performances throughout the region each year. It presents St. Louis Symphony Live at the Pulitzer, a four-program series at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO also serves as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre Saint Louis, with the upcoming season marking the 43rd year of the partnership.
The Grammy Award-winning SLSO's impact beyond the St. Louis region is realized through weekly Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio, acclaimed recordings, and regular touring activity. A sought-after artistic partner by preeminent musicians and composers from across the globe, as well as by local and national organizations, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations that have developed and deepened over the years.
Today, the SLSO builds on the institution's current momentum on all fronts, including artistic, financial, audience growth, and community impact, and looks toward the future with Stéphane Denève. Denève begins his tenure as the SLSO's 13th Music Director with the 19/20 season. For more information, visit slso.org
About the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have been a part of the NHL since 1967. During more than 50 years of operation, the organization has established itself as one of the premier professional sports franchises in the country. With nine division titles, a Presidents' Trophy and more than 20 former team members enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Blues have etched one of the most storied histories in the NHL. Through their history, the Blues have hosted more than 35 million fans and invested millions in the St. Louis community via Blues for Kids, the team's charitable foundation.
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