News From Britt Hill – by Donna Briggs, Britt President & CEO
One of the most fun and exciting projects we’ve taken on in recent years is the Rising Stars competition, which we are proud to be co-presenting again this year with South Stage Cellars. We are accepting applications now for the February competition!
Two years ago I had the pleasure of attending the first Rising Stars competition, and walked away a fan. Last year Britt entered into a partnership with South Stage Cellars to co-present the competition. This year, we’ve made a few key changes, but left the spirit of the competition intact. We’ve moved the competition to February, and shortened the length of it, limiting the slate of performers to just 12. The winner will be chosen at the finals on March 1, and will have the chance to perform on the main stage at Britt as an opening act on the 2014 Britt schedule (pending headliner approval). The winning act will also be featured live on JPR, in a 30-minute in-studio performance and interview.
Each year, the public has been able to vote for their favorite performer each weekend of the competition, at $2 per vote. This year, those proceeds will go to the Britt Institute, our educational arm, and help Britt provide much-needed music education programs like in-school programs, summer camps and more. Thanks so much to South Stage Cellars for advocating for music education!
The Rising Stars competition is a win-win for everyone involved. Talented musicians get great exposure through the competition—watch the Review this fall for profiles on past Rising Stars performers, and hear about the doors that the competition has helped open. By bringing fans into town, the competition is also a great support for the local economy in Jacksonville in February. Finally, Britt is grateful to be part of this competition that supports and discovers local musicians, and helps support our music education programs.
I encourage any local musical act—from solo to quartet—to consider applying to the Rising Stars competition. To apply, just send a music link and a photo to Porscha Schiller at South Stage Cellars by email to porscha111@gmail.com, or by finding South Stage Cellars on Facebook. Applications are open now through November 15, and we’ll announce our slate of Rising Stars performers in mid-December. The rounds will begin February 1, and continue each Saturday through February, with the finals on the Britt stage on March 1. Apply now!
Posted October 9, 2013