[Missouri-l] Information for prospective showcase performers - please distribute widely - thanks

[peter altschul]

Hi:

Below is information concerning how to secure a slot in the 
Friends-in-Art (FIA) Showcase scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 
July 7 at 8 PM in conjunction with the ACB convention.  We 
especially encourage new talent, as well as those who enjoy 
performing gospel, classical, and/or music from cultures outside 
of North America to audition.  Although music is the most popular 
mode of entertainment, all performing arts media are welcome.

IMPORTANT: The FIA house band is ba-aack!!!  To those considering 
using this band, please alert us to the title of the song you 
wish to sing and the key in which you wish to sing it by June 
22nd.  As we will back no more than ten acts this year, priority 
will be given to those who alert us of their chosen song by that 
date.  We are particularly adept at playing swing, pop, and RandB 
standards.  You'll need to schedule some time to rehearse with 
the band during the mornings of Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 
7.



Please do not hesitate to contact Peter Altschul at paltschul at 
centurytel.net for additional information - and please forward 
this to anyone who you think would be interested in this 
information.

Thanks,



Peter Altschul

SOME WORDS TO PROSPECTIVE SHOWCASE PERFORMERS

Peter Altschul

To increase your chances of performing in front of an adoring 
audience, here are a few points to consider:

1.  Give serious consideration to upbeat material.  We tend to 
have a shortage of up-tempo acts, as potential performers often 
bring more meditative selections to the microphone.  If your 
preference is the latter, give some thought to preparing an 
up-beat backup.

2.  Variety is key to achieving a successful show.  Therefore, we 
usually judge within genre: that is, voice accompanied by piano 
performances will be compared to each other, while dramatic 
readings will be judged against other dramatic readings.

3.  Language in Showcase presentations should respect the 
presence of both children and adults.  The FIA showcase is 
considered family entertainment.

4.  Come well prepared.  Polish and flair will capture the 
attention of the audience, and go a long way toward ensuring your 
place in the show.

5.  Please note that previous experience has shown that 
twenty-three acts, with each act in the spotlight for no more 
than five minutes, makes for a good well-balanced evening.

6.  Let us know what you need in advance:

Piano accompaniment: A sighted accompanist is usually not 
available to play from a printed musical score; however, several 
talented people are able to improvise accompaniments to show 
tunes, jazz standards, gospel hymns, and a limited repertoire of 
classical music.  Specific accompaniments can be learned if 
provided in advance.  Please contact Peter Altschul at 
paltschulçenturytelcom with questions.

Using a pre-recorded track: To those considering performing with 
the assistance of a prerecorded accompaniment, please bring a 
copy, not the original, to the mixer on Sunday, July 6.  Our best 
efforts at returning materials have sometimes gone awry.  Please 
affix your name to the CD.   Note that since your five minutes in 
the limelight are best spent displaying your own talent and 
style, overly lengthy instrumental interludes are strongly 
discouraged.

Singing with the band: Yes, the FIA house band is ba-ack.  To 
those considering using this band, please alert us to the title 
of the song you wish to sing and the key in which you wish to 
sing it by June 22.  As we will back no more than ten acts this 
year, priority will be given to those who alert us of their 
chosen song by that date.  We are particularly adept at playing 
swing, pop, and RandB standards.  You'll need to schedule some 
time to rehearse with the band during the mornings of Monday, 
July 6 and Tuesday, July

Join the Chorus: To those interested in singing in our chorus, 
and who have not previously received a rehearsal CD, please 
e-mail me your name and street address ASAP, as the CDS will be 
mailed by June 22.  Let me know if you wish to be sent the lyrics 
in Braille or large print.  Please be prepared to attend both 
rehearsals (Sunday, July 5 from 5:45 to 6:45 PM and Monday, July 
6, from 10 to 11 PM).

Audition procedures: Everyone, including those who have alerted 
us previously of their interest to audition, must sign up for a 
rehearsal time slot during our mixer on Sunday, July 6.  We'll 
need your name, the title and composer of the selection you are 
planning to perform, and your hotel room number.  While getting 
in touch with one another is always difficult at conventions, we 
plan to inform all performers of audition outcomes between 10 PM 
and midnight on Monday, July 7.

If this message has not addressed what you need to know, please 
feel free to request further help.  You may e-mail information 
and/or questions to Peter Altschul at paltschulçenturytel.net