Mendelssohn Club of Albany Hosts Vocal Competition on Saturday, March 26

Annual Joel Dolven Awards Features Young Vocalists from the Region

DELMAR, NY (03/24/2011)(readMedia)-- The Mendelssohn Club of Albany announced today that it will host the 36th Annual Joel Dolven – Mendelssohn Club Vocal Awards Competition on Saturday, March 26th. The competition is open the public and will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 916 Western Avenue in Albany.

The annual vocal award (scholarship) competition, named for the late Joel Dolven, who conducted the Mendelssohn Club from 1951-1966, is one of the Mendelssohn Club's main contributions to furthering vocal music in the Capital Region. Each year, the club provides cash awards to young male and female vocalists to further their study.

Talented young male and female vocalists between the ages of 18 and 29 who previously applied for the competition will compete in three age divisions: Novice Student Division (ages 16-18), Intermediate Student Division (ages 19-22), and the Advanced Student Division (ages 23-29). In addition, the student who demonstrates outstanding singing potential will receive the Joy B. Misenheimer Encouragement Award. Each contestant will sing two selections.

This year's Dolven Awards competition will be judged by Lucille Beer and Dr. Ralph Schultz. Ms. Beer is a graduate of the Julliard School and faculty member at the College of St. Rose and Schenectady County Community College. Dr. Schultz is a composer who conducts the Jubilate Singers and served as president of Concordia College.

Winners in each division will be announced, and awards will be presented at The Mendelssohn Club's Spring Concert, which will take place on Friday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m. in Chancellor's Hall in the New York State Education Building on Washington Avenue in Albany.

There is no charge to attend the competition, and off-street parking is available.

About The Mendelssohn Club: A Capital Region tradition since 1909, the 65-voice male chorus is the area's longest continuously performing arts group. The club is composed of men from the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Berkshire regions, and performs a full range of male choral selections from around the world. The Mendelssohn Club is conducted by Dr. Victor Klimash. A faculty member at Union College, Dr. Klimash holds a Doctor of Music in Voice from Florida State University, and a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Voice from The Eastman School of Music. Pianist Michael Clement serves as the club's accompanist. Mr. Clement was trained at the Eastman School of Music, the University of Arizona, and the University of Southern California. For more information about The Mendelssohn Club, please visit www.mendelssohn.org