The Sarasota Orchestra is holding a  competition for a Sarasota or Bradenton student to sing the national anthem opening an outdoor Pops concert on May 9, 2015 at the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium. The Anthem Idol Competition is open to students aged 12 to 20 years old from Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Applicants must be amateurs and not have a recording contract or professional affiliation. Entry is free for Anthem Idol and may be submitted at the Orchestra’s website. Applicants must upload a video or include a link to a YouTube video of their performance of the Star Spangled Banner.  Deadline for entries is Monday, March 9, 2015 at midnight. The Orchestra’s selection committee will narrow down video entries to a smaller group who will audition live on Wednesday, April 8. The Sarasota Orchestra’s outdoor Pops concert will pay tribute to American idols including Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong and Judy Garland.  Headlining the program entitled “Orchestra in the Outfield” is Syesha Mercado, American Idol’s Season 7 finalist, and graduate of Sarasota’s Booker High School. The winner of the Anthem Idol competition will open the program singing the national anthem to more than 3,000 spectators.  The Sarasota Orchestra will also provide the winner a coaching session, a $250 honorarium, and a “meet and greet” with Syesha. Questions by potential entrants will only be accepted online through the Orchestra’s website.

http://www.SarasotaOrchestra.org