Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart Announces Popsearch 2007

The popular talent competition is now open to singers nationwide through video submissions at YouTube.com. The deadline for video submissions is May 23. The winner will take home a $5,000 cash prize and perform with the Boston Pops at Fourth of July Extravaganza and on Pops national tour.

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(PRWEB) May 15, 2007

In a video clip posted on YouTube.com, Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart invites singers from across the country to submit videos to http://www.YouTube.com/group/popsearch07 to compete in POPSearch 2007, a national talent contest that offers amateur singers a chance to perform with the Boston Pops at its annual Fourth of July Extravaganza in Boston, seen by a live audience of almost a half-million people on the Charles River Esplanade and several million more on WBZ-TV, Boston.

The POPSearch 2007 winner will also be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and appear with the Boston Pops as part of its national tour this summer. Also new this year, music lovers across the country can watch the top POPSearch competitors on YouTube.com/group/popsearch07 and vote for their favorite singer at BostonPops.org.

Singers may audition for POPSearch 2007, to take place May 9 – June 28, in any one of three ways: by posting a two-minute performance video on YouTube.com/group/popsearch07; by sending a two-minute audition video (DVD, mini-DVD, or VHS tape) to POPSearch, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115; or by coming to Symphony Hall on May 18 or 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to tape a live audition. All entrants must be 18 years or older and will be required to sing unaccompanied in the initial round. The deadline for submitting a video audition is May 23 by midnight. For complete competition details and an application, visit http://www.bostonpops.org.

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
On May 29, the top 16 POPSearch contestants selected by Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops artistic staff will be announced, and their video auditions will be posted online at http://www.YouTube.com/group/popsearch07.

KEY DATES FOR POPSEARCH 2007

May 9 – POPSEARCH 2007 BEGINS. Contestants may enter by auditioning at Symphony Hall, by posting a two-minute audition video on http://www.YouTube.com/group/popsearch07, or by mailing a two-minute audition recording on DVD, mini-DV, or video cassette to POPSearch (301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115).
May 18 and 19 – LIVE TAPED AUDITIONS at Symphony Hall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 23 – LAST DAY for video submissions via mail and YouTube.com.
May 29 – NATIONWIDE VOTING BEGINS. POPSearch announces top 16 contestants, chosen by Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops artistic staff. Videos of these singers will be posted online at YouTube.com/group/popsearch07, and music lovers nationwide can vote for their favorite six semi-finalist at bostonpops.org.
June 4 – SIX SEMIFINALISTS CHOSEN after all 16 perform live at Symphony Hall with members of the Boston Pops, 7 p.m. Online voting continues for three finalists.
June 12 – THREE FINALISTS CHOSEN from six semifinalists after each performs live during a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall, 8 p.m. Online voting continues for PopSearch winner.
June 28 – POPSEARCH WINNER ANNOUNCED after each of the three finalists performs live during a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall, 8 p.m.
July 3 and 4 – POPSEARCH WINNER PERFORMS before a half-million spectators with the Boston Pops in the annual July 4 Extravaganza.

For additional information about POPSearch, visit http://www.bostonpops.org.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Bernadette Horgan, Director of Media Relations
617-638-9285
Kathleen Drohan
617-638-9286

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