Auditions will be held at the Rammelkamp Chapel on the Illinois College Campus January 19, 2008. Your audition time will be scheduled and those who qualify will be asked back to perform in front of an audience. There are three categories in which you may enter:

• Junior Youth Category: ages through 8th grade
• Senior Youth Category: grade 9 through 12
• Adult Category: College age and Adult

Each of these categories can include vocal or instrumental music, either a solo or groups up to five.

If you are asked back you will be invited to perform in front of an audience on February 16, 2008.  At the end of that evening, competition winners will be announced. Prizes will be awarded in all three categories. Prizes for each category are:

• First Prize: $100.00
• Second Prize: $75.00
• Third Prize: $50.00

(The Symphony reserves the right to withhold the granting of a prize if standards are not met or if there are not enough contestants in a category.)

A Grand Prize Winner will be chosen from all category winners to receive a $250 Grand Prize and a featured performance during the Spring Concert with the Orchestra on March 8th, 2008.

You must enter in order to be considered for an audition. Click the link below to open the printable PDF registration form. Each registration form must be filled out completely and mailed to the Symphony Representative listed on the form. Each form must also be accompanied by a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee. Checks should be made payable to the Jacksonville Symphony Society.

• Printable Entry Form

Your entry MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO JANUARY 12th, 2008.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories:
Junior Youth up to 8th grade
Senior Youth grade 9 through 12
Adult - college age and adult

Prizes in all three categories are as follows:
First Prize: $100 cash
Second Prize: $75.00 cash
Third Prize: $50.00 cash

The Symphony reserves the right to withhold granting a prize in a category if standards are not met or if there are not enough contestants.

All winners in all categories are eligible for the Grand Prize which receives $250.00 cash, and a featured appearance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra during concert. All contestants must agree to be available for the March 3 Concert at 7:30pm when the Grand Prize Winner will be featured.

Additional rules:

1. Participants in the Talent Show must qualify at auditions. Audition times will be assigned. Audition times may be rescheduled in case of conflicts, but the contestant is responsible for notifying the chairmen immediately of the conflict. In all cases, the contestant will not be considered as failing the audition if the audition time is not kept. The registration fee will not be refunded.

2. Contestants are expected to audition in appropriate dress. Photographs may be taken at the time of auditions for publicity purposes.

3. All accompanying music must be live. Recordings will not be accepted. Contestants are responsible for procuring and paying their own live music accompaniment.

4. Contestants will agree to the use of their names and photographs for publicity.

5. Applications received after the deadline may not be accepted. The Symphony and the chairmen will use their discretion.

6. Flash photos are prohibited. Recordings and tapings are allowed unless they interfere with performances, judging, or audience enjoyment.

7. Warm-up pianos are available for rehearsals. Practice rooms are available in the basement.

8. Previous Grand Prize Winners are not eligible to compete again. All other prize winners may compete again.

9. There is an audition time limit of 2 minutes; the final contest performance should be a minimum of three and a half minutes.

10. Contestants are expected to show proper respect to other contestants, to dress appropriately, to appear on time, to attend rehearsals, and to exhibit the demeanor that will contribute to the enhancement of the Talent Show and the Jacksonville Symphony Society.