Semi-finalists: ORCHESTRAS, 2019-20

(This listing was revised 2/21/20 to correct a clerical error.—DK)

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST orchestras for 2019-20 in all categories. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts, unique in scope and structure. Founded in 2010, contestants hail from all fifty states, representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.  

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—professional division, 2019-20

Jason  Lim
McKinney Philharmonic
McKinney TX

Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra         
Matthew Scinto 
Harwich Port  MA     

Missouri Symphony Orchestra        
Ji Hyun Yim, guest conductor
Columbia  MO     
Kirk Trevor, music director

 
NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—college/university division,  2019-20

Miami University Symphony Orchestra     
Ricardo Averbach
Oxford   OH      University

OSU Symphony Orchestra 
Dr. Thomas  Dickey 
Stillwater   OK     

William & Mary Symphony Orchestra  
David Grandis
Williamsburg VA    

Baylor University Symphony Orchestra        
Stephen Heyde  
Waco    TX     

Davidson College Symphony Orchestra
Tara Villa Keith  
Davidson NC     

Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra
Ryan Murray 
Sacramento   CA    

University of Washington Symphony Orchestra  
David A. Rahbee 
Seattle  WA     

University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra 
Carolyn Watson 
Lawrence KS 



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—community orchestra division, 2019-20

Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra     
David Anderson
Lake Geneva  WI     

Clark College Orchestra
Donald L. Appert 
Vancouver WA     

Texas Medical Center Orchestra     
Patricia Brown  
Houston  TX    
Libi Lebel, conductor      

Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra   
Orlando Cela
ArlingtonMA     

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra         
Kathleen Chick  
Carlisle MA     
Alan Yost, conductor        

Seattle Collaborative Orchestra    
Anna Edwards
Seattle  WA     

Williamson County Symphony Orchestra
John B. Gordon 
Round Rock   TX     
Dr. Thomas Rainey, conductor      

Los Angeles Doctors Symphony       
Andrew  Hasel  
Los Angeles  CA     
Ivan Shulman, conductor    

Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra     
Taka Matsunaga          
Schaumburg   IL     

Poway Symphonette  
Ulli Reiner 
Poway  CA

Waynesboro Symphony
Charles Salembier          
Waynesboro   VA     
Peter Wilson, conductor

Parthenon Chamber Orchestra        
David P. Sartor 
NashvilleTN     

South Texas Symphonic Orchestra    
Nancy Scarsdale          
San Antonio  TX     
Dr. Ronnie Sanders, conductor       

Detroit Medical Orchestra          
Sydney  Schaaf 
Detroit  MI     
Zeljko Milicevic, conductor 



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—youth orchestra division, 2019-20

All About Music San Diego          
Mary Gerard 
San Diego  CA     

Houston Youth Symphony 
Sarah D. Loudermilk         
Houston  TX     
Michael Webster, conductor  

Denver Young Artists Orchestra     
Kelly   Waltrip
Denver   CO     
Wes Kenney, conductor

Elite Academy for Strings Chamber  
Michael Shane Wittenburg         
Engelwood Cliffs  NJ    



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—high school orchestra division, 2019-20

Sartartia HS Symphony Orchestra    
Sophia  Hsien  
Sugar Land   TX     

Beckman HS String Orchestra        
Jim Kollias
Irvine   CA     

Denver School of the Arts Orchestra
Enrique Lasansky
Denver   CO     

Seven Lakes HS Symphony Orchestra  
Desiree Overree
Katy  TX     

Seven Lakes HS Sinfonia Orchestra  
Desiree Overree
Katy  TX     

Stephen F. Austin Camerata         
Ann Victor 
Sugar Land  TX     



***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.


  

Semi-finalists: CHORUSES. 2019-20

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST choruses for 2019-20 in all categories. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—professional division, 2019-20

mirabai  
Sandra Snow, conductor
East Lansing MI 

Dallas Chamber Choir  
Jon L. Culpepper    
Dallas TX   

Madison Choral Project 
Albert Pinsonneault 
Madison  WI   


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university division,  2019-20

East Carolina University Chamber Singers  
James Franklin     
Greenville   NC   

USD Chamber Singers
David Holdhusen    
Vermillion   SD   

Western Oregon Voices  
James Reddan 
Monmouth  OR   

Western Oregon University Chamber Singers 
James Reddan 
Monmouth  OR   

Baylor A Cappella Choir
Dr. Brian A. Schmidt
Waco  TX   

U Mass Chamber Choir   
Tony Thornton     
Amherst  MA   

Western IL University Singers     
Brian J. Winnie 
Macomb IL   


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—community division, 2019-20

Manassas Chorale 
Eileen M. Daniels
Manassas VA 
Rebecca D. Verner, conductor

The Helios Ensemble
Benjamin Hansen 
Tucson AZ   

San Francisco Choral Artists 
Michael Kaulkin
San Francisco  CA 
Meagen Solomon, conductor

Baltimore Choral Arts Society   
Julia D. Malecki
Baltimore   MD  A
nthony Blake Clark, conductor  

Una Voce—The Michael Martin Chorale 
Dr. Michael G. Martin 
Hilliard OH   

Orpheus Club Men's Chorus    
John J. Palatucci    
Ridgewood    NJ   

Ensemble Companio
Erik Peregrine    
Northeastern US   

Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble  
Loren W. Ponten 
Seattle  WA   

AD HOC BACH  
Nadya Potemkina    
Middletown   CT   

Susquehanna Chorale
Mitchell Sensenig     
Mechanicsburg PA 
Linda Tedford, conductor

Te Deum  
Matthew Shepard
Kansas City  MO   

Illuminati Vocal Arts Ensemble   
Tony Thornton     
Amherst  MA   


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—youth division, 2019-20

Angelica Cantanti Treble Singers
Philip Brown  
Bloomington  MN   

Notre Dame Children's Choir  
Dr. Mark Doerries     
Notre Dame   IN   

Parker Elementary School Chorus  
Marianna Parnas-Simpson   
Houston  TX   

South Lebanon Elementary Chorus  
Shawn M. Small  
Lebanon  PA   

Fifth Avenue Falcons   
Shawn M. Small  
Lebanon  PA


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—high school division, 2019-20

Goose Creek HS Chamber Choir 
Jordan D. Boyd   
Goose Creek  SC   

Urbandale Singers
Ted Brimeyer     
Urbandale    IA   

Connetquot HS Concert Choir  
Brad Drinkwater   
Bohemia  NY   

Brearley B-Naturals
Karyn Joaquino     
New York NY   

Willard HS Chamber Choir     
Mark Lawley 
Willard  MO   

Hicksville HS Concert Choir  
Michelle Shmuel 
Hicksville   NY   

Hicksville HS Chamber Singers   
Michelle Shmuel 
Hicksville   NY   

Hilliard Darby Symphonic Choir   
Hannah Sterman-Wilson   
Hilliard OH 
Dr. Michael G. Martin, conductor

Centennial HS A Cappella Choir   
Francis Vu 
Frisco TX   
 

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.


  

Semi-finalists: BANDS / WIND ENSEMBLES, 2019-20

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST bands/wind ensembles for 2019-20. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—college/university division,  2019-20

NEC Symphonic Winds
William Drury                
Boston   MA                  

Texas A&M Kingsville Wind Symphony  
Scott Jones               
Kingsville  TX                  

Liberty University Wind Symphony     
Dr. Stephen Kerr
Lynchburg  VA                  

UNLV Wind Orchestra
Thomas G. Leslie
Las Vegas  NV                  

William & Mary Wind Ensemble         
Richard Marcus               
Williamsburg VA                  

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Wind Orchestra     
Devin Otto
Oshkosh  WI                  

University of Delaware Wind Ensemble      
Lauren Reynolds             
Newark   DE                  


SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—community division, 2019-20

The Allentown Band 
Ronald Demkee      
Allentown  PA

Boulder Concert Band
Marilyn R. Kroner               
Boulder  CO

Connecticut Flute Orchestra          
Nadya Potemkina            
Middletown  CT



SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—high school division, 2019-20

Cuthbertson Blue Note Winds         
Todd Ebert                
Waxhaw   NC                   

James Bowie Wind Symphony            
Rumaldo Solis                
Arlington TX                   

Rivera Wind Ensemble
Alex R. Torres               
Brownsville  TX                 


***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.


  

Semi-finalists STAGE DIRECTORS (The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize), 2019-20

CNR in "The Life of Reilly"

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST stage directors for 2019-20—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize. Congratulations!

There are two divisions this year—one for opera directors, a second for theater and music theater directors. 

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from these lists. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

Charles Nelson Reilly was a Tony Award-winning actor and Broadway stage director, and an acclaimed opera director and teacher. Far more than the zany television personality by which he was most often identified, Reilly nurtured the creation of a whole series of unique one-person stage plays. Most famously, he directed Julie Harris in her Tony Award-winning star turn in "The Belle of Amherst", on the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson. Among Reilly's many Broadway directing credits were Ira Levinʼs "Break a Leg", Larry Shueʼs "The Nerd", and the revival of "The Gin Game", starring Julie Harris and Charles Durning, for which Mr. Reilly was the sole American director to be nominated for a Tony in 1997. Mr. Reillyʼs career as an opera director included productions for Chicago Opera Theater, Dallas Opera, San Diego Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Toledo Opera, Milwaukee Opera and Opera Pacific. Charles Nelson Reilly and The American Prize chief judge David Katz were friends for three decades, first meeting through their mutual Hartford voice teacher, Mrs. Friedrich Schorr. Mr. Reilly served as honorary chairperson of the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice from the competition's founding in 1990, until his death. To read more about the career of Charles Nelson Reilly, please click here.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

Please make us aware of any misprints in the listings below by emailing: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.
 

NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2019-20, theater/musical theater division

Belinda Andrews-Smith        
Denison University 
Granville OH         
Chicago        

Geoffrey Arndt
Saint Patrick Summer Theatre           
Chicago  IL       
Sweeney Todd

Geoffrey Arndt
Saint Patrick High School      
Chicago  IL       
We All Rise Above

Katharine Clarke
Endicott College   
Beverly  MA                    
Shrek the Musical     

Ellen Denham
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi Opera 
Corpus Christi  TX    
Pinstripe Harry's Tearoom Cabaret        

Lori Lane
Artios Academies of Greenville       
Greenville SC       
Jane Eyre the Musical      

Dr Darren P. Lawson
Bob Jones University
Greenville SC         
Titanic: The Musical  

Joshua May
Schwob School of Music—Columbus State University    
Columbus GA                    
Speed Dating Tonight!

David Ronis
University of Wisconsin—Madison          
Madison  WI         
Into The Woods             

David Schwingle            
Bob Jones University
Greenville SC    
King Lear



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2019-20, opera division 

Dean Anthony              
SUNY Potsdam—Crane School of Music   
Potsdam  NY                
MAYO (Cipullo)

Melinda Brou
Texas A&M University—Kingsville          
Kingsville TX                    
The Merry Widow       

Marc Callahan             
Wingate University 
Chapel Hill  NC                    
Help, Help, the Globolinks!  (Menotti)           

Marc Callahan             
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill  NC         
One Who Says Yes (Der Jasager) (Weill)         

Marc Callahan             
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill  NC         
Alcina (Handel)

Ellen Denham
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi  
Corpus Christi             TX                    
Pinocchio  (Mozart/Collodi/Caraher)           

Tracelyn Gesteland            
University of South Dakota Opera     
Vermillion  SD         
The Consul            

Brenda  Harris
Stony Brook University—Stony Brook Opera  
Stony Brook  NY        
Il Re Pastore (Mozart)         

Rachel M. Harris
Heartland Opera    
Joplin   MO                    
La Boheme   

Rachel M. Harris
University of Missouri
Kansas City  MO         
La Finta Giardiniera (Mozart)

Rachel M. Harris
Loyola University
New Orleans  LA    
New Orleans  LA         
Cendrillon  (Massenet)        

Melanie Helton
Michigan State University Opera Theatre   
East Lansing  MI                    
Die Fledermaus        

Melanie Helton
Michigan State University Opera Theatre   
East Lansing  MI                    
La Scala di Seta (Rossini)

David Holley
University of NC—Greensboro
Greensboro NC                    
Falstaff              

Dr. Leigh Holman
University of Colorado Boulder       
Boulder  CO         
Eugene Onegin         

Joshua  May
Schwob School of Music—Columbus State University  
Columbus GA         
Cendrillon (Viradot) 

Dugg McDonough            
Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at Louisiana State University  
Baton Rouge LA         
Elizabeth Cree (Puts)       

Brandon McShaffrey           
Temple University  
Philadelphia  PA                    
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria  (Monteverdi)         

David Ronis
University of Wisconsin—Madison          
Madison  WI         
L'incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi)

Josh Shaw
Pacific Opera Project
Los Angeles CA         
Madama Butterfly     

Javque Trussel      
Purchase Opera, Conservatory of  Music—SUNY    
Purchase NY            
Confession, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi       

Copland Woodruff             
Lawrence University
Appleton WI         
Mass (Bernstein)


***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (orchestral programming—Marijosius Award), 2019-20

Vytautas Marijosius

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 SEMI-FINALIST conductors in orchestral programming, The Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

The American Prize—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming honors the memory of the great Lithuanian conductor, Maestro Vytautas Marijosius, music director of the Lithuanian State Opera, and for nearly thirty-five years Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hartt School of Music. The Prize recognizes and rewards the best achievement in the unique field of orchestral programming, where the selection of repertoire by knowledgeable, creative and courageous music directors builds orchestras and audiences, educates young people and adults, and enriches the community. 

Please make us aware of any misprints in the listings below by emailing: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.
 

NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—professional and college/university division, 2019-20
(This listing was revised 2/21/20 to correct a clerical error.—DK)

Dr. Brian Coffill
The Randolph-Macon Ensemble 
Randolph-Macon College        
Ashland VA            

Dr. Thomas Dickey
OSU Symphony Orchestra
Stillwater  OK  

Vladimir Kulenovic            
Lake Forest Symphony  
Lake Forest IL

Jason  Lim
McKinney Philharmonic
McKinney TX

Nathaniel F. Parker
Kennesaw State University Symphony        
Kennesaw  GA   

Nadya Potemkina            
Wesleyan University Orchestra        
Middletown  CT   

David A. Rahbee
University of Washington Symphony Orchestra    
Seattle WA   

Rachel L.  Waddell
University of Rochester Orchestras        
Rochester   NY   



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—community division, 2019-20

Donald L. Appert
Clark College Orchestra
Vancouver   WA                  

Donald L. Appert
The Jewish Community Orchestra of Portland
Portland  OR                  

Richard B. Brunson
Marshfield Symphony Orchestra        
Marshfield  WI                  

John B.Gordon
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra 
Round Rock  TX 
Daniel Rainey, conductor                

David William Oertel
Starlight Symphony Orchestra         
Wimberley   TX                  

Mark Perlman
Willamette Falls Symphony
Oregon City and Tualatin  OR                  

James  Villani
Manassas Symphony Orchestra          
Manassas  VA      


***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize National Non-profit Competitions in the Performing Arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (musical theater), 2019-20

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST conductors in musical theater. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—musical theater division, 2019-20

Nancy Allen
Belmont University School of Music       
Nashville  TN        
Jo Lynn Burks, conductor
Thoroughly Modern Millie

Rebecca Kenneally            
Endicott College 
Beverly   MA           
Shrek the Musical    

Matthew Mailman              
Bass School of Music—Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City  OK    
Side Show           

Russell G.McCutcheon           
Department of Theater
and Sunderman Conservatory of Music      
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg PA                
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Michael Moore
Bob Jones University 
Greenville SC   
Titanic    

Michelle Perrin Blair
Revival Theatre Company              
Cedar Rapids  IA    
Sunday in the Park with George         

Ana Flavia Zuim 
NYU Steinhardt School
New York   NY                
Anything Goes




***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division in soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (opera), 2019-20

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST conductors in opera divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—professional opera division, 2019-20

Walter Morales              
Pittsburgh Festival Opera
Pittsburgh  PA

The Valkyrie, Das Rheingold    

Eric Peterson             
Savoynet Performing Group            
Harrogate UK

Patience

Isaac Selya                
Queen City Opera 
Cincinnati   OH

Iolanta      

Michael Shane Wittenburg           
National Theater of Opera and Ballet 
Constanta   Romania

Turandot

NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—college/university opera division, 2019-20

Tyson Deaton               
Texas Christian University Opera Studio          
Fort Worth  TX

Falstaff      

Peter Perret            
University of North Carolina—Greensboro                
Greensboro  NC

Falstaff

Matthew Mailman              
Bass School of Music—Oklahoma City University  
Oklahoma City  OK

Cendrillon        

Kirk Severtson            
The Crane School of Music—SUNY       
Potsdam NY

MAYO (Cipullo)

Hugh Murphy         
Purchase Opera—SUNY             
Purchase  NY       

Confession, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi          

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division in soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (orchestra), 2019-20

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 national SEMI-FINALIST conductors in orchestra divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—professional orchestra division, 2019-20

Roberta Carpenter
Hradec Kralove Philharmonic 
Oconomowoc WI 

Steve Lewis
Midwest Chamber Ensemble
Overland Park KS 
 
Ryan Murray
Modesto Symphony
Modesto CA 

Victor Shlyakhtenko  
South Coast Symphony
Orange County CA 

Markand Thakar
Baltimore Chamber Orchestra 
Baltimore MD 



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—college/university orchestra division, 2019-20

Ricardo Averbach
Miami University Symphony Orchestra 
Oxford  OH   

John Young Shik Concklin
Vanderbilt University Orchestra
Nashville TN   
 
Daniel Cook
Northwestern University Chamber Ensemble
Evanston IL   

Robert Denham
Biola Conservatory New Music 
La Mirada CA   

Dr. Thomas Dickey
OSU Symphony Orchestra
Stillwater OK   

Jeffrey Klefstad
All University Orchestra-Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh PA   

Hon Pan Benson Lee
TCU Chamber Orchestra
Fort Worth TX   

Michael Moore
Bob Jones University
Greenville SC   

Ryan Murray
Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra 
Sacramento CA   

Joel Neves
Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra 
Houghton MI   

Ian Passmore
Indiana University Symphony Orchestra 
Bloomington IN   

David A. Rahbee
University of Washington Symphony Orchestra 
Seattle WA   

Ji Hyun Yim
U-Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra
Madison WI   
Chad Hutchinson conductor
  

NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—community orchestra division, 2019-20

David Anderson
Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra 
Lake Geneva WI   

Kaleb Benda
Oklahoma Chamber Symphony
Oklahoma City OK   

Daniel Bruce
Burlington Civic Symphony
Burlington VT   

Richard B. Brunson 
Marshfield Symphony Orchestra 
Marshfield WI   

Orlando Cela
Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra 
Arlington MA   

John B. Gordon
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra 
Round Rock TX 
Dr. Thomas Rainey, conductor

Andrew Hasel
Los Angeles Doctors Symphony  
Los Angeles CA   
Ivan Shulman, conductor 

Michael Isadore 
Houston Civic Symphony
Houston TX   

Taka Matsunaga
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra 
Schaumburg IL   

Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant
Durham Medical Orchestra
Durham  NC   

Mark Perlman 
Willamette Falls Symphony, Tualatin
Oregon City and Tualatin OR   

David P. Sartor
Parthenon Chamber Orchestra 
Nashville TN   

Martha Stoddard
Oakland Civic Orchestra 
Oakland CA   

Scott E. Woodard 
Charleston Chamber Orchestra  
Charleston WV   

Ji Hyun Yim
Madison Medical Orchestra 
Madison WI


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—youth & school  orchestra division, 2019-20

Orlando Cela
North Carolina Governor's School  Orchestra
Arlington MA   

Mary Gerard
All About Music San Diego
San Diego CA   

Sarah D. Loudermilk 
Houston Youth Symphony
Houston TX   
Michael Webster conductor

Kevin Pearce
Lone Star Youth Orchestra
Irving  TX   

Ulli Reiner
Bernardo Heights/Twin Peaks HS Symphony
Poway CA 

Alex Wise
MISA Summer Festival Youth Orchestra 
Shanghai China   

Michael Shane Wittenburg
Elite Academy for Strings Chamber 
Englewood Cliffs  NJ   


***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize National Non-profit Competitions in the Performing Arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (chorus), 2019-20

The American Prize, David Volosin Katz founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST conductors in choral divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—schools division, 2019-20

Philip Brown                
Angelica Cantanti Treble Singers    
Bloomington   MN 

Brian J. Winnie               
Western IL University Singers             
Macomb    IL      

Hannah Sterman-Wilson       
Hilliard Darby Symphonic Choir       
Hilliard  OH       
Dr. Michael G. Martin, conductor



NATIONAL SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—community division, 2019-20

Carol M. Cei
Paoli Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir 
Paoli   PA  

Orlando Cela
Arlington-Belmont Chorale           
Arlington MA  

Minji Kim
University of Maryland Summer Chorus
College Park MD  

Julia D. Malecki             
Baltimore Choral Arts Society       
Baltimore MD        
Anthony Blake Clark, conductor 

Timothy  McDonnell           
Catholic University of America Chamber Choir 
Washington DC  

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalist CONDUCTORS (band / wind ensemble), 2019-20

The American Prize, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce 2019-20 SEMI-FINALIST conductors in band / wind ensemble divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—professional and college/university band division, 2019-20

Eddie W. Airheart             
TCU Wind Symphony
Fort Worth  TX                

Lindsay Bronnenkant          
University of Michigan Students      
Ann Arbor   MI             

Jack A. Eaddy, Jr.           
US Army Band "Pershing's Own"        
Washington   DC       
Col. Andrew J. Esch, conductor  

T.  Andre Feagin               
Colorado State University Symphonic       
Fort Collins  CO                

Joel M. Graham               
George Mason University Wind Symphony     
Fairfax   VA         
Mark Camphouse, conductor    

Michael Hancock              
University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony      
Norman  OK                

Tremon Kizer                
University of Central Florida        
Orlando  FL                

Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant  
Duke University Wind Symphony        
Durham  NC                

Devin Otto                 
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Wind Ensemble      
Oshkosh   WI                

Lauren Reynolds             
University of Delaware Wind Ensemble      
Newark   DE                

Corey Seapy                
Bands at the UMKC Conservatory       
Kansas City   MO                

Marc Sosnowchik           
University of South Florida Symphonic     
Tampa  FL                

Shayna  Stahl                
University of Washington Wind Ensemble    
Seattle   WA                

Boyang Yu                   
New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble     
Boston   MA                

SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—community and school division, 2019-20

Nicolas Propes               
Big River Brass Band                 
Quad Cities  IA/IL    

Matthew Salvaggio            
University Heights Symphonic Band    
University Heights  OH       

Greg Jackson              
Saint James Symphonic Ensemble       
Montgomery    AL

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalists: COMPOSERS (instrumental chamber music division). 2019-20

(This listing was revised 3/23/20, moving a contestant to the correct category.—DK)

The American Prize is pleased to announce a grand list of 2020 SEMI-FINALIST composers of instrumental chamber music, in both professional and student divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.

SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—Instrumental Chamber Music (professional division), 2020

Aaron Alter  
Carlsbad  CA
Solar Rays; Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry  

Bruce Babcock
Pasadena  CA
The Present Moment

Jack Du Wayne Ballard Jr.
Alliance  OH
Chrystalin; Four Seasons on Works  by Robert Florczak

Navid Bargrizan  
McKinney  TX
Pictures at the Micro Exhibition  

Jennifer Margaret Barker 
Newark  DE
Na Tri Peathraichean  

John G. Bilotta
Concord   CA
SHADOW TREE, PETROUSHKA DREAMS 

Oliver Caplan 
Medford   MA
In the Direction of Dreams

Luke Carlson
Hollister  MO
Woodcuts

Ryan Carraher
Boston  MA
"Colors" he says to the screen's black lattice 

Gustavo Casenave
Astoria   NY
Balance 

Timothy P. Chatwood
Carson City  NV
Three Emotions (Glycerine, Forget and Questioning)  

Brian Ciach  
Mountain View CA
Mountain Song; California Ballad

Michael Coleman
Pensacola  FL
String Quartet No. 1

David Colson 
Kalamazoo  MI
Dionysian Mysteries

Mark Dal Porto  
Portales  NM
Exotic Animals Suite: Romance

Robert Denham 
La Mirada  CA
Speaking of Beginnings

Ehood Gershuni
Boston  MA
Five Preludes for Piano  

Amos Gillespie  
Chicago   IL
Musics for flute, clarinet, alto sax and cello  

Kyle Grimm  
Hartford  CT
"Gone"; "Pitchforks & Crow's Feet" 

Karen Salicath Jamali 
Winter Park  FL
Rainbow Angel & other works for piano

Valerie Liu
Alameda   CA
Dream Trio  

Paul Lombardi
Vermillion   SD
Pieces of Mind and Matter 

Christopher Lowry  
Antioch   TN
Los Temblores; Toccatina Americana

Timothy Lee Miller 
Mahwah  NJ
When leaves begin to fall 

Lawrence R. Mumford
Laguna Niguel   CA
Stingray

Alejandro Viramontes Nunura 
Boston  MA
Raices; Vidales; Electronic Study No. 1

Jakub Polaczyk
Cliffside Park  NJ
OJIBBEWAY

David P. Sartor 
Hermitage  TN
ASPIRATIONS  

Walter Saul
Fresno  CA
Sonatina for Piccolo and Piano

Benjamin Shorstein  
Jacksonville  FL
Lyric Suite  

Andrew Sigler 
Knoxville  TN
The Gentle Churches

Joseph T. Spaniola
Pensacola  FL
Crossroads  

Aaron Spotts 
Tallahassee  FL
Somewhere Between Thought and Feeling

Ann Stimson
Weston  MA
Venetian Blue 

Neil Stipp  
Glendora  CA
Sonata for Clarinet and Organ 

Kyle Vanderburg 
Fargo ND
Earmarks

William Vollinger  
Woodcliff Lake  NJ
The Violinist in the Mall  

Tyler Goodrich White  
Lincoln   NE
Three Views From The Mountain 

Kevin Wilt
Boynton Beach FL
Out in the Storm; Elemental Dance 

Judith Lang Zaimont
Maricopa  AZ
A Strange Magic


SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—Instrumental Chamber Music (student division), 2020

Shelby Rawlings Blalock
Charlottesville   VA
Hematite 55; Internal Combustion  
  
Nicolas Chuaqui
Rochester   NY
1. Reflections, 2. Memories  
  
Patrick Connor Dittamo
Manhattan  KS
Turtlesong  
  
Daniel Farrell
Brooklyn  NY
Puppet Show 

Stella Gitelman Willoughby 
Cambridge  MA
Led, a Trio for alto flute, vibraphone and violin
  
Ian Evans Guthrie
Tallahassee  FL
The Crescent Moon Shines Dim on High  
  
Joseph Foster Harkins
Middletown   PA
Mountain Streams of Consciousness 
  
Martin Hebel   

Hamden  CT
Window Inward
  
Hans Bridger Heruth 
Liberty   MO
In the Shadow of the Moon
  
Patrick Holcomb
Ocean View   DE
Ghost-light; The Sun Rising  
  
Elisa K. Johnson
Seattle   WA
Shine  
  
Dayton Kinney 
Raleigh   NC
Hand Carved Names and Railroad Tracks 

YoungJun Lee
Boston  MA
Tsunami 
  
Ming-Jui Liu
Arcadia   CA
Mirror of the Sunshine, op. 3

Luis Enrique McDougal
McAllen   TX
Arenas Movedizas
  
Zachary Ploeger
Pipestone  MN
Trio for Trumpet, Violin and Piano
  
Matt  Ridge  
Bloomington  IN
"100"  

Benjamin Shaw
Newport   RI
String Quarter no. 1; Solo Flute no. 1
  
Chris Shelton
Windermere   FL
Serpent Mound

Austin Smith  
North Truro  MA
Ruminations 
  
Wai Leung William So 
Kennedy Town  Hong Kong  
Musing; Wondrous Bravery/ Duo for Violin and Cello; Oh My Elusive Naivety; Prologue  
  
Patrick Andrew Thompson
Jersey City   NJ
Aurora 

Daniel Whitworth  
Highland Park  IL
Ripples in Infinity 
  
Foo Jeng Wong
Brighton  MA
Seeking Passage

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.

Semi-finalists: COMPOSERS (vocal chamber music division), 2019-20

The American Prize is pleased to announce an extensive list of 2020 SEMI-FINALIST composers of vocal chamber music, in professional and student divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.

SEMI-FINALISTS The American Prize in Composition—Vocal Chamber Music (professional division), 2020

Ralf Yusuf Gawlick  
Newton  MA       
Herzliche Grupe Bruno~Briefe aus Stalingrad    

Ehood Gershuni 
Boston  MA       
Time Does Not Bring Relief; The Spring and The Fall     
 
Brian Mark     
Brooklyn  NY       
First they Came     

Timothy Lee Miller   
Mahwah  NJ       
The House With Nobody In It 

Jan Mittelstaedt 
Portland  OR       
Embarrassing Moments: Temper Tantrum, The Luncheon, Tongue Tied  

Sheli Nan      
Berkeley  CA       
JOURNEY—THE SONG CYCLE 

Daniel Sigmon   
Missouri City     TX       
Passages  
   
Judith Lynn Stillman 
Providence  RI       
Small Step, Giant Leap: A Lunar Fantasy      

Danae Xanthe Vlasse   
Winnetka  CA       
Serenade II    
         
William Vollinger  
Woodcliff Lake     NJ       
The Child in the Hole  


SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—Vocal Chamber Music (student division), 2020

Theophilus Chandler 
Hillsborough  NC       
Two Taylor Songs   
     
Nicolas Chuaqui  
Rochester   NY       
Apocalyptic Visions  
       
Patrick Connor Dittamo  
Manhattan   KS       
Dysentery; Suicide in the Trenches; Cometh the Night    
 
Ian Evans Guthrie  
Tallahassee       FL       
Where Dreams Come True; Spring; Call to Come; Storm: Nightfall        
     
Martin Hebel    
Hamden  CT       
Dulce et Decorum Est 
     
Hans Bridger Heruth   
Liberty   MO       
How do I love thee?  

Patrick Holcomb  
Ocean View  DE       
Superbloom   

Asia Jamosmos 
Stockton  CA       
A Dream within A Dream        

Mark Bolan Konigsmark 
Newton  MA       
In to the Light, The Betrayal      

Patrick Andrew Thompson 
Jersey City      NJ       
Night, Sleep, and the Stars     

Daniel Whitworth  
Highland Park      IL       
Not Our Kids: A Fox News Operetta 

***

We invite semi-finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing finalists in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all semi-finalists.