Category: Community Event

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Audition Applications open for Bemidji Sings Vocal Competition – Ages 9 to Adult Invited to Apply!

Headwaters Music and Arts invites amateur singers who live, work, or go to school in the Bemidji area to take part in Bemidji Sings, an annual vocal competition celebrating the musical talents of youth and adults who live, work or attend school in Bemidji.

Singers ages 13+ compete at Bemidji Sings Vocal Competition to determine who will represent Bemidji at the Minnesota Sings State finals in Fairmont, MN in October. Minnesota Sings vocal competition is separated into two age divisions: 13-20 and 21+. New this year Bemidji Sings features a 9-12 age division to compete. Those in the 9-12 division will compete locally but are not eligible to compete at the statewide Minnesota Sings Competition. Up to 7 singers from each age division will be chosen to perform at the Bemidji Sings Vocal Competition and the first and second place winner from both the 13-20 and 21+ division will move onto Minnesota Sings.

Those interested in taking part must register to audition by 5 pm Monday, June 5. Auditions are scheduled for June 10 and 11. They will be in person, with the option to meet with judges via Zoom. Each audition will take less than an hour. Auditions are an opportunity for judges to select the best performances for the Bemidji Sings Vocal Competition on September 8 as well as to offer advice and pointers to singers for their live performances.

Singers will be chosen based on their audition performance where they will be asked to sing one song. Auditioning vocalists will be evaluated based on their vocal skills, presentation skills, audience response, and judge's overall impression. Only individual contestants are eligible – no multiple singers or additional instruments may be used.

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Monroe Crossing in Concert with Headwaters & Friends this Saturday!

Headwaters Music & Arts is excited to welcome back to Bemidji world-class bluegrass entertainers Monroe Crossing for Headwaters’ biggest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, April 22, 7 pm, at the Historic Chief Theater. Opening for the band will be Headwaters & Friends, a lineup of talented instructors and students of Headwaters Music & Arts.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. For over 20 years this Minnesota based band has entertained audiences throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The band has released 17 albums and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2007. The band’s diverse discography consists of traditional bluegrass, original bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, a tribute to Bill Monroe, classic country, Christmas music and two collaborations with the award-winning choir Vocal Essence. Monroe Crossing’s airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites.

Headwater & Friends is an ever changing lineup of skilled musicians from the Headwaters community. Taking the stage this year will be Dane and Julia Anderson, Wendy and Morgan Mellema, Sawyer Corcoran, Casey Rasmussen, and Vincent Noble.

$30 tickets are available for purchase here. Admission is open seating, advance ticket purchase is recommended (tickets are almost sold out!). Businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to be a sponsor for this fundraising event. Proceeds support the Headwaters Scholarship Program to help reduce student tuition based on financial need. Sponsorships help Headwaters reach their goal of giving the gift of creativity to kids in our community.

“Everyone who came had the time of their life that evening. Your show was just incredible....one of the freshest and original groups I have experienced....I was just blown away.” — Bill Adams, Habitat For Humanity, Waldorf MD

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A Review of Latin American Music with Antonio Arce

Music is universal; however, depending on the region of the world music can have different rhythms, beats, tempos, lyrics, or styles. Headwaters Music and Arts hosts A Review of Latin American Music with Antonio Arce on Saturday, April 1 at 7pm. Community adults are invited to join musician and educator Antonio to learn about the different music of Latin America as he shares his knowledge in this free presentation. The audience will experience different songs and short stories, view a variety of photos of the area where the songs originated, and listen to the music of Latin America as performed by Antonio.

Antonio is a singer and guitarist. He was born in Salta, Argentina as the eldest son of a professional musician who always had guitars at home. Learning guitar started as a practice but quickly formed into an obsession. Although Antonio picked up the guitar very quickly he did not learn the names of the chords or the notes in either Spanish or English. Instead, Antonio learned to play by ear something he still practices with his main repertoire of Música “Latino Americana” including Romantic Music in the genres of Boleros, Trova, and other styles. On April 1 the audience will experience Antonio’s music first hand as he performs different styles of music and shares little stories about the different songs he will interpret.

A Review of Latin American Music is a free event for adults that will be held at Headwaters Music and Arts in Bemidji (519 Minnesota Ave NW). Those interested in attending can contact Headwaters by phone at 218.444.5606 or just plan to show up.