The Sound of a Voice Competition

Doylestown—Our hills will soon be alive with the sound of a very special solo competition which will contribute to saving a quintessential farm formerly owned and lived in for over two decades by Broadway Musical Legend, Oscar Hammerstein II.

Few communities have the luck and the joy of being the region where a notorious cultural icon called home. Key West, Florida has Ernest Hemmingway’s home, Paisley Park, the Oscar and Grammy winner Prince’s former home is in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and the sweet town of Abiquiu, New Mexico has Georgia O’Keefe’s adobe home and studio.

Kate Kesilman, one of the soloists featured in this article’s photographs stated “I can’t wait to send in my solo recording, I’ve been practicing every day since I heard about it from my choir teacher.” Kate’s twin sister, Anna stated “I’m going to try and send in my recording, just because I want to help save Oscar’s home!” It appears even the younger generations have a grasp on how important this property is to preserve as a historical venue for our community.

Singers from all over the globe will be able to register for the contest beginning the first day of November with solos due no later than December 18th. Winners will be announced on February 1, 2021. The contest is the brainchild of Oscar Hammerstein Music and Theatre Education Center Board Member and Music Educator, Jaime Rogers, in response to the challenges of teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a school choir director during COVID, I am facing many challenges with how to provide meaningful performance opportunities for my choir students,” said Rogers. “Singing together live as an ensemble is on hold for the time being, but that doesn't mean that we can't work on our musicianship and vocal technique as individuals. The solo contest will serve as a performance opportunity for interested students. For more information on the contest visit www.HammersteinMuseum.org or email OscarHammersteinCenter@gmail.com.

A prestigious panel of judges will evaluate the final round of solo submissions, including Joseph Ohrt, Choir Director for Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown; Peter Reynolds, Head of Musical Theatre, Temple University; John Simpkins, Head of Musical Theatre, Penn State University; and Ivy Walz, Interim Associate Dean and Professor of Vocal Performance at Ithaca College. The solo contest is open to singers from across the globe in five categories – Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, and a local division for residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The first round of semi-finalists will be determined by popular vote, followed by two more rounds of a competition judged by music and theatre professionals. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each category. First-place winners will receive a cash prize, have the opportunity to film their song at Highland Farm and receive a voice lesson with Broadway performers Justin Guarini (of American Idol fame) or Andrew Polec (Broadway’s Bat Out of Hell).

All proceeds from the contest will benefit The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center, which recently launched a three-phase fundraising campaign to support the non-profit’s ongoing vision to secure the Highland Farm property and realize the dream of a museum and theatre education center on the site of Oscar’s home. Fundraising success will allow the nonprofit to secure, renovate, and preserve Highland Farm, the Hammerstein property located at 70 East Road in the heart of Doylestown, PA, and convert the mansion and historical bank barn into a Museum and Theatre Education Center.

ABOUT HAMMERSTEIN MUSEUM & THEATRE EDUCATION CENTER: With the threat of a 4-lot subdivision looming, The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center, a recognized 501(c)3, is raising funds to purchase, restore, and preserve Oscar Hammerstein’s II former home and workplace at Highland Farm in Doylestown, PA. The goal is to create a multifaceted and dynamic museum experience, with a strong theatre education component, that will serve as a place of inspiration for Broadway fans and humanitarians alike, from Hammerstein’s backyard and across the world. To learn how you can make an impact and #SaveOscarsHome please visit www.HammersteinMuseum.org.

The group photograph above includes vocal soloists who will participate in the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center’s youth solo contest, Music Educator Jaime Rogers is featured with the group in the back right. Girls include Kate and Anna Kesilman, Lauren Burnfield, Ava Snyder, Addison Rogers, Avery Rogers, Molly Cochran, Amelia Alfiero, and Helena Badiali