The 6th annual Mabel Mabel Mercer Foundation (MMF) American Songbook High School Competition will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
MMF head KT Sullivan hosts the event as twelve finalists compete singing classic popular standards. The goal of the competition, funded by the Adela and Larry Elow endowment, is to encourage teenagers to learn and perform songs from The Great American Songbook that were composed between the years of 1900-1970. The program bestows annual cash awards of $2,500 first prize, $1,500 second prize, and $1,000 third prize, to three outstanding students.
Judges this year include Aisha de Haas (Broadway, TV and film performer), Will Friedwald (author and New York Sun jazz critic), Elysa Gardner (New York Times arts contributor), Jeff Harnar (award-winning cabaret performer and director), Mark Hummel (Broadway conductor, accompanist and arranger) and Sandy Stewart (legendary recording artist). Guests will be treated to special performances by MMF education director Natalie Douglas and former scholarship winners with pianist Jon Weber while the votes are being tabulated. Additionally, the first prize winner will be invited to perform at The Mabel Mercer Foundation’s annual Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center in October.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located in the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street, Lower Level, New York, NY
