Since opening their doors in 2005, the St. Louis Ocarina Store has been creating a resurgence of interest in the whimsical hand-held wind instrument. Now, using YouTube as a medium, the store hopes to spark even more interest in the ocarina by holding an online star search, American Idol style, that will showcase the talents of the best ocarina players and demonstrate to casual ocarina players the potential of their instruments.
ST. LOUIS (Business Wire EON) November 17, 2008 --
Since opening their doors in 2005, the St. Louis Ocarina Store has been
creating a resurgence of interest in the whimsical hand-held wind
instrument. Now, using YouTube as a medium, the store hopes to spark
even more interest in the ocarina by holding an online star search, American
Idol style, that will showcase the talents of the best ocarina
players and demonstrate to casual ocarina players the potential of their
instruments.
“We want to see what our customers can do with their ocarinas – people
of all ages, from all across the world, with all types of ocarinas,”
said Dr. Dennis Yeh, one of the competition’s organizers. “YouTube makes
it possible for anyone to participate in our star search without having
to worry about travel, expenses, or accommodations. Just as the ocarina
is an instrument that anyone can afford to buy and learn to play, this
competition is easy for anyone to enter and participate in.”
To enter the competition, players must record two songs on video: the
classic Irish song Raglan Road as well as a song of their own choosing.
Those interested can then fill out an online application and upload
their video to the STL Ocarina International Star Search Competition
YouTube group. Alternatively, musicians can enter by printing out the
application form and mailing in a hard copy of their two performances.
“We are very excited watch the incoming videos,” said Yeh. “We are eager
to see our store’s ocarinas in use, to hear the range and diversity of
the songs chosen, and to show others the beauty, creativity, and sound
quality that is possible on the instrument that we love.”
The entries will be judged solely on musical content. The top three
players will receive cash prizes as well as a triple octave purple clay
ocarina. The winner of the competition will be invited to St. Louis for
a performance and professional recording opportunity. Entries will be
accepted until February 28, 2009, and the winners will be announced on
the following Saturday, March 7.
To learn more about the competition, including more details on how to
enter, performance tips, and updates, please visit the St. Louis Ocarina
blog at http://blog.stlocarina.com.
This website also includes the sheet music for Raglan Road as well as
the complete rules, terms, and conditions of the star search.
To visit the St. Louis Ocarina on YouTube channel, which is updated
weekly, please go to http://www.youtube.com/STLOcarina.
To visit the STL Ocarina International Star Search Competition YouTube
group, please go to http://www.youtube.com/group/stlocarinastarsearch.
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