07.02.08 Pops Announce Winner of High-School Sing-Off Competition
06.20.08 Pops Announce three Finalists for 2008 High School Sing Off
06.03.08 Pops Announce Semi-Finalists For 2008 High School Sing-Off
05.20.08 Pops Announce Contestants for 2008 High School Sing-Off

The 'Boston Pops High School Sing-Off A Best of Broadway Challenge,' the First Ever Pops Musical Theater Competition for Massachusetts High School Students
What it is

An invitation for participation has been extended to the over 2,700 high schools across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Students from these schools, working closely with their music and drama teachers, are encouraged to submit audition videos of musical theater vocal works for solo, duet, trio, quartet, or quintet to the Boston Pops anytime between now and May 9, 2008. After review of the submissions, up to 20 contestants will be chosen to travel to Symphony Hall to perform. The live portion of the competition will take place during four concerts in June, at which time the 6 chosen semifinalists will have their first chance to sing accompanied by the orchestra at a Boston Pops concert. The last finalist standing will win the grand prize of being featured in the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert on the Charles River Esplanade.


Here's How to Apply

Those interested in auditioning must complete an application and agree to all the points outlined in the Participation Agreement. All of the required forms can be found at www.BostonPops.org.

There is a non-refundable fee of $10 to audition. Once the application process is completed, a videotaped audition is to be sent to the Boston Pops High School Sing-Off, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, no later than May 9. Audio/video recordings for the competition must be sent on one of 3 formats: DVD, VHS, or mini DV; no other formats will be accepted. Please note, all auditions must be taped with piano accompaniment only. If instruments other than the piano are used in an audition tape, the tape will automatically be disqualified from the competition.

Only vocal pieces written for solo, duet, trio, quartet, or quintet will be considered; works for larger vocal ensembles or chorus will not be considered. Also, all music selected must have pre-existing orchestral arrangements and be no longer than 5 minutes in length. If your high school production was not written for orchestral accompaniment or your high school is not producing a musical this year, you can still participate in the competition by working with your music and/or theater teacher in preparing an individual selection from any of the musical theater repertoire that includes an orchestral arrangement. Suggestions include, but are not limited to, Chicago, Dream Girls, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Hello Dolly, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Into the Woods, Jekyll and Hyde, A Little Night Music, Man of La Mancha, Mame, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, and West Side Story. Additional selections are listed at www.bostonpops.org, but those too are only suggestions—the only requirement is that all selections have a pre-existing orchestral arrangement.


Complete 'Sing-Off' Schedule

May 9 - All applications are due
May 19 - Twenty contestants/vocal ensembles to be announced
June 2 - Twenty contestants/vocal ensembles to compete on stage of Symphony Hall
June 17-18 - Six semi-finalists to perform–three each night–during Pops concerts
July 1 - finalists to perform with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, with the winner selected at the end
July 3-4 - winner to perform with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops at concert and Fireworks Spectacular