Southwestern Michigan College’s new Lyons Cup is a competitive vocal and instrumental scholarship program designed to attract and retain quality talent from regional high school music programs.
It provides an opportunity for young musicians to receive constructive comments in a safe manner, as well as in an exciting atmosphere for friendly competition.
And, as the name implies, there will be a trophy, though high school seniors with an SMC letter of intent or those enrolled in applied music and ensembles will be eligible to win SMC talent scholarships of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.
Three students in grades 9-11 receive full-tuition scholarships to the SMC Summer Institute Music Camp.
The instrumental competition takes place Feb. 26, with vocalists competing March 5. The days are organized by Director of Choral Activities David Carew and Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth and feature a vocal guest artist, operatic soprano Deborah Mayer, who has taught voice at the University of Notre Dame since 2006.
At 10 a.m. in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on SMC’s Dowagiac campus, the first 10 contestants perform, followed by the second 10 contestants after lunch, with eight finalists announced at 4 p.m. From 4 to 5, finalists rehearse with SMC’s collaborating pianist.
A concert at 7:30 features an SMC student ensemble, SMC faculty, the guest artist and the finalists, with winners announced at 8:30. The concerts are free and open to the public.
Vocalists memorize two contrasting songs of the “classical” vocal idiom — art songs, arias and English or traditional folk songs. Instrumentalists prepare a solo lasting at least five minutes in a repertoire typical of the classical or jazz idiom.
There is a fee to enter. Interested students can sign up at: https://www.swmich.edu/events/event-details/the-lyons-cup-a-vocal-and-instrumental-scholarship-competition.php
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