Local teenagers will have a chance to shine at the Siloam Music Festival’s spring concert.

The “Top Talented Teenagers Concert,” planned for 2:30 p.m .,April 21, will feature 23 students from the Siloam Springs High School, Ozark Adventist Academy and area home schools, along with eight teachers from both schools, according to producer Mark Barnett.

About 20 pieces, from a wide variety of music styles, will be performed during the two hour concert to be held in Siloam Springs High School’s new auditorium, he said.

Barnett said his goal is to provide high quality music that will inspire and bring joy to people. He started the concerts to give young people a venue to play. For many it is the first time they will be performing individually, he said.

“Some of the high-school-age kids are super talented and have no place to perform,” he said.

However, the quality will be top notch. Barnett carefully selects performers for their skill and talent.

The concert will include a wide variety of music styles as well as instruments - from piano, saxophone and trumpet to clarinet, trombone, cello, drums and flute.

“There is so much variety, it keeps it going,” Barnett said. “You’ll never know what people will respond to.”

Siloam Springs Middle School band teacher Rebecca Riggs will sing a jazz piece with an ensemble of 15 musicians. Siloam Springs High School Student Jordan Hunt, who won the female Panther Singer of the Year award last year, will perform several pieces, including a vocal duet with Ozark Academy’s Samuel Marandure. Ozark Academy student Jae-Min Park will play several piano pieces.

Right now the concerts are free because Barnett wants people who can’t afford a $50 ticket to a Branson show to have the experience of a high-quality musical.

One reason people enjoy Barnett’s concerts is they feature talent from people they associate with every day, he said.

“The goal is to inspire people to higher heights,” Barnett said.

This will be the fourth concert; the first one was a home concert last March, then a concert at the First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs in August and a Christmas Concert at Camp Siloam.

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed to help cover the cost of the production. Money over and above the cost will be donated to the Siloam Springs High School and Ozark Adventist Academy music programs. More information about the concert is available online at www.

siloammusicfestival.com.

News, Pages 1 on 04/17/2013