Andrew Lippa to Lead 2012 Mercer Songwriters Project w/ Craig Carnelia & Lari White

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>Broadway composer Andrew Lippa (“The Addams Family,” “The Wild Party”) is among three master teachers leading the 2012 Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project at Northwestern University. Lippa will be joined by Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist Craig Carnelia and three-time Grammy winning singer and songwriter Lari White to conduct the weeklong program for emerging songwriters.</p>

<p>Talented young songwriters and writing teams working in any popular music style are encouraged to apply for this no-fee program presented by The Johnny Mercer Foundation and the American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University from June 18 to 23.</p>

<p>The intensive six-day Evanston campus program of master classes and workshops will culminate in a showcase of new works by participant songwriters and a star-studded celebration concert. </p>

<p>Emerging songwriters in pop, music theatre, hip-hop, folk, Latin and country music are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is March 30. Applications may be completed online. Songwriters or writing teams can learn more at [American</a> Music Theatre Project](<a href=“http://www.mercersongwriters.org%5DAmerican”>http://www.mercersongwriters.org).</p>

<p>Alumni from the project include Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, writers of the musical “A Christmas Story” which is now touring nationally; Latin Grammy Award-winning songwriter Obie Bermudez and Jennifer Pena; Fred Ebb Award-winner Adam Gwon and Jonathan Larson Award Winners Peter Lerman, Michael Kooman and Chris Dimond.</p>

<p>Read more: [Andrew</a> Lippa to Lead 2012 Mercer Songwriters Project With Craig Carnelia and Lari White](<a href=“http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrew-Lippa-to-Lead-2012-Mercer-Songwriters-Project-With-Craig-Carnelia-and-Lari-White-20120223#ixzz1nJd3CPGn]Andrew”>http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrew-Lippa-to-Lead-2012-Mercer-Songwriters-Project-With-Craig-Carnelia-and-Lari-White-20120223#ixzz1nJd3CPGn)</p>

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<p>This is underway this (unusually hot) week, and D is looking forward to meeting the composers this week and singing with them in a concert on Saturday!</p>

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<p>THE JOHNNY MERCER CELEBRATION CONCERT
Featuring Broadway Star, Chicago’s Own Ann Hampton Callaway
Saturday, June 23, 8pm Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, Illinois*</p>

<p>*
The stars are out for an evening of musical enchantment, sharing songs by the writers who have most inspired them from George Gershwin to Paul McCartney. Featuring one of the leading champions of the Great American Songbook and “the singer who stills the room”:* Tony-nominated Broadway star Ann Hampton Callaway (SWING!), this one-night-only concert will also include performances from Tony-nominated composer and lyricist Craig Carnelia, Grammy-nominated composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lari White, emerging songwriters from the 2012 Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project and an appearance by the great Johnny Mercer himself<em>through audio and video recollections where</em>he*reveals the writers who most inspired his prolific career.</p>

<p>Ann Hampton Callaway is one of the leading champions of the great American Songbook. *Her gifts as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer have given her one of the most unique careers in music today. *Born in Chicago to an illustrious musical family, Ann’s heartfelt singing style blends jazz and traditional pop, making her a mainstay in concert halls, theaters and jazz clubs as well as in the recording studio, on television, and in film. Callaway won the Theater World Award and received a Tony nomination for her starring role in the Broadway musical “Swing!” *</p>

<p>She gained international exposure for writing and singing the theme for Fran Drescher’s hit TV series ‘The Nanny”. *Ann made her Hollywood screen debut in Robert DeNiro‘s spy thriller “The Good Shepherd” singing “Come Rain or Come Shine” and was featured in the soundtrack of Queen Latifah’s “Last Holiday”. *She’s written over 250 songs including the Platinum Award winning hits for Barbra Streisand “At the Same Time” and “I’ve Dreamed of You”. *</p>

<p>She performs the critically acclaimed acts “Sibling Revelry” and “Boom!” with Broadway star and sister, Liz Callaway. Ann has recorded 12 solo CD’s including her latest celebrated Telarc release “At Last” and is a guest artist on over 40 CD’s. *Callaway also devotes herself to philanthropic work, writing and performing to benefit many cherished causes.</p>

<p>Members of The 2012 JMF Songwriters Project include Matilde Bernabei, Jeff Bienstock, Kayley Bishop, Cassie Boettcher, Andrea Daly, John Gurney, Caleb Hawley, Patrick Lundquist, Rebekah Greer Melocik, Gregory Nabours, Sarah Nisch, Jennifer Sanchez, Peter Seibert, Shaina Taub, Becky Warren and Jacob Yandura.* The talented group includes the composer of a hit off-Broadway musical, the lead for an all-girl alternative country group, a vet of film scoring, and a one-time American Idol contestant. Tickets: $40 general public; $10 full-time students. To order tickets, contact the Theatre and Interpretation Center Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or order online at [Theatre</a> and Interpretation Center, School of Communication, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.tic.northwestern.edu%5DTheatre”>http://www.tic.northwestern.edu). Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL.</p>

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<p>I just noticed that applications for 2013 are open until March 15th.</p>

<p>If you know any up-and-coming song writers, you may want to pass this info on to them.</p>

<p>[American</a> Music Theatre Project](<a href=“http://www.amtp.northwestern.edu/mercer.html]American”>http://www.amtp.northwestern.edu/mercer.html)</p>