Brevard’s Got Music Contest will Showcase Top Area Talent

For the ten finalists who will get an opportunity to compete in this y e a r ’s annual Creative Arts Foundations Brevard’s Got Music Talent Competition—the experience will be one that could jumpstart their journey to a musical career.

The event, modeled after the popular television show, “America’s Got Talent,” will be held at the Advent Lutheran Church in Suntree, on March 29th. In its 11th year, the contest will showcase musicians and vocalists 10-19 years-old.

Last month, the auditions were held and students were evaluated on their musical acuity. On March 22nd, these winners will compete in front of a panel of judges before performing in front of a live audience at the actual event.

Since its founding back in 2007, the Creative Arts Foundation’s mission has been to provide assistance and support to creative youth with exceptional talents in fields of music, drama, dance, literature and visual arts. Nearly $150,000 to date in grants, cash prizes, instruments, and music lessons have been given to deserving area youth.

The criteria for assistance is based upon financial need and teacher recommendations. “We have witnessed some unbelievably talented kids here in Brevard who have gone on to become professional musicians, music teachers and song writers,” said Marshall Frank, Vice- President of the CAFOB.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

“I remember when I sat down with several of the current Board of Directors, and began putting together a plan to form this foundation, “ said Frank.

It was after the news of a 13 year old classical violinist named Esther was discovered in Brevard. When her family could not afford to purchase her a quality instrument, the story went viral. Soon after, local citizens helped organize a fundraiser, enabling her funds to travel and compete abroad. After finishing among the top, and winning a spot to play a recital at Carnegie Hall, the Creative Arts Foundation of Brevard was officially founded.

Since 2010, the 501(3) (C) non-profi t has held monthly shows each year where 3-4 local students are chosen to perform in front of live audiences.

Called, “Music on the Hill,” the initiative helps raise funds for the foundation through donations, while providing opportunity for various musicians, both students and adults to participate.

On February 23rd, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Friendship Fellowship Unitarian Hall in Rockledge, world renowned opera soprano soloist, Amy Cofield will headline the guest performers as the foundation presents its second monthly concert of 2020. Coifed, also a voice teacher from Melbourne, who has performed across the US and abroad in numerous operatic roles, with recent debuts in Broadway concerts with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, has been instrumental in helping support the foundation by both performing at local events and judging the annual talent contests.

“We are so fortunate to have her help and talent,” said Suzanne Franks, Board Member and concert organizer for the upcoming show. Along with Cofield, others who will take the stage include: The Dic Doc Duo, featuring Jay Barnhart, pianist, and Marshall Frank, a former symphony violinist, Vero Beach brothers, Michael and Martin Rhoedman, AKA “Mikey C & The Wave,” who will perform a saxophone duet, Tomas Lopez, a 21 year-old music teacher and former 2016, 3rd place talent show winner, and lead guitarist of, “The Spring,” and 14 year-old Colleen Jorden, a ninth grader at Sebastian River High School and one of Cofields’ voice students.

“The Creative Arts Foundation has not only afforded me the opportunity to perform for so many people at their concerts, but supported me financially and made it possible when I was just 16 to play in Europe and partake in the Oreo Music Festival,” said Lopez.

During the month of February and early March the Foundation will be accepting auditions for the talent show in March. The winners of the auditions will be invited to the final competition. A total of $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top four finalists.

By: Sue DeWerff Panzarino