Friends' to hold auditions for musical competition
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

Marlborough - Local musicians should get their valves oiled, reeds broken in and strings tuned for the upcoming competition to be held Saturday March 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bigelow Auditorium at the Marlborough Public Library. The competition is open to all high school instrumental musicians in the greater Marlborough area.

Of the competitors, five musicians will be selected to perform in the "Friends of Marlborough Public Library's Young People's Performing Arts Festival Concert." The 11th annual concert will be held Wednesday May 28 at 7 p.m. in the Bigelow Auditorium. In addition to being featured solo performers in the annual performance, the student finalists will also receive cash prizes ranging from $125 to $150.

"Boston Brass Ensemble" bass trombonist Leslie Havens, who is the musical chair of the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library, explained that the students interested in competing first have to submit an application by Monday March 10. Applications are available from local music teachers and from Havens.

Havens provided details about the logistics of the upcoming competition. Although she does not judge the competition, she is involved in the process of getting the student applicants prepared for the audition. Of the applicants, only 15 will be invited to compete.

Havens said that she is looking forward to attending the performance.

"I think that competitions like this are great for music students," she said, "because it gives the students a reason to practice."

Students who are interested in auditioning need to prepare a 15-minute recital piece. For the audition, musicians must bring two copies of the music selected to be performed at the recital and must be prepared to play five to 10 minutes of the piece for the judges. During both the competition and the concert, students will be allowed to use sheet music.

Both soloists and small instrumental groups consisting of no more then five members are encouraged to audition. Musicians who are chosen will be notified within five days after the auditions. Only two performers from each instrument or ethnic style will be chosen.

The Performing Arts Festival Concert is open free of charge to the public and is the third of a three-part concert series hosted by the Friends of Marlborough Public Library.

Also known as the "2007-2008 Yacyshyn Concert Series," the musical performances have been hosted by the Friends for the past 38 years as part of their commitment to enrich the cultural environment at the library. This year's series was named in memory of the very first musical chair of the Friends, the late Martha Yacyshyn.

According to a press release from Friends President Raymond Johnson, Yacyshyn is credited with "setting the tone and quality of the Friend's Musical Series, which continues on today."

The concert is funded in part through a grant from the Marlborough Cultural Council and through the Ezra Cutting Trust Fund.

For more information about the upcoming event or any of the other Friends' events, contact Raymond Johnson at 508-485-0290 or 413-648-9663 or by e-mail at rajohnson36@verizon.net.