ST. LOUIS BLUES PARTNER WITH ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOR SECOND YEAR TO HOST NATIONAL ANTHEM AUDITIONS FOR THE 2018/2019 SEASON
Winner to Perform at an Upcoming Blues Home Game
St. Louis, July 23, 2018 – Today, the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced the return of the National Anthem auditions to showcase the talent of local St. Louisans. The Blues and SLSO are partnering for the second year in a row to select a local singer or musician to perform the National Anthem prior to a Blues home game during the 18/19 season.
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 www.stlouisblues.com before Friday, August 17, at noon. Finalists will be invited to an in-person audition at Powell Hall to perform live in front of a panel of judges.
Auditions will be judged by Blues National Anthem singer Charles Glenn, Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, an SLSO musician, and James Bertels – one of last year’s winners. The game at which the winner will perform will be announced at a later date.
Last year, more than 650 performers entered the contest and 34 were invited to the final auditions. Nine winners were selected, including Bertels, who now regularly performs the National Anthem at Blues games.
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 SLSO is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, celebrating its 139th year in the 2018/2019 season. Widely considered one of the world’s finest, 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 50 years, the orchestra is an integral part of the diverse and vibrant St. Louis community, presenting free education programs and performances throughout the region each year. The SLSO presents 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 2019 season marking the 42nd year of a partnership that is unique in the country.
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, celebrated recordings, and regular touring activity. The SLSO is a highly respected collaborator and sought-after artistic partner by some of the world’s greatest musicians and composers, as well as local and national organizations. The SLSO has a long history of robust and enduring collaborations with artists and composers 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, who has been a frequent guest conductor with the orchestra since 2003, begins his tenure as Music Director with the 19/20 season, following next season as Music Director Designate. 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.
