Student Information

This unique solo-singing competition gives high school students from Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties (including home-schooled students) the chance to compete for college scholarships and perform live at Playhouse Square.

If you love to sing …

If you want to showcase your talent …

If you can imagine yourself performing for thousands LIVE at Playhouse Square

You’ll want to participate in the Seventh annual Shining Star CLE Competition!

SAFETY FIRST!
While we intend on having another incredible year, we will continue to put the health and safety of our students above all else! Social distancing and all COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect this season.

ELIGIBILITY

Any high school student in grades 9 – 12 (as of August 20223) in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit or Wayne counties (including home-schooled students).

All participants must have a 2024–2027 graduation date.

FREE TO ENTER!

All genres of music welcome!

View All Contest Rules & Eligibility Requirements

THE SCHOLARSHIPS

• 1st PLACE: $10,000 college scholarship & the opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall.
• 2nd PLACE: $5,000 college scholarship.
• 3rd PLACE: $2,500 college scholarship.
• 4th PLACE: $1,000 college scholarship.
• BONUS PRIZE: $2,500 to 1st PLACE WINNER’S high school music department.

THE AUDITION PROCESS

• Round 1 (Video Auditions): April 17 – June 30, 2023
  • Eligible students should upload their video audition, singing a song of their choice, online (students will likely use the same performance piece throughout the competition, subject to the sole discretion of the artistic director).
  • Videos should be three minutes max.
  • Piano accompaniment, personal instrument usage or a capella are preferred, but recorded accompaniment is allowed.
  • Please avoid singing any of the following songs from last year: A Piece of Sky (Yentl), Poor Wandering One (Pirates of Penzance), My Grand Plan (The Lightning Thief), The Joker (Brandi Carlile), Always Remember Us This Way (A Star Is Born), Fighter (Hannah Tramonte), Gravity (Sara Bareilles), One Perfect Moment (Bring It On), Sante Fe (Newsies), Sal Tlay Ka Siti (The Book of Mormon Musical) and Hopelessly Devoted to You (Grease).
  • A group of recognized music professionals will judge the online submissions and select students to advance to the next round.
• Round 2 (Virtual Auditions): July 8-9, 2023
  • PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR YOUR ROUND 2 NEXT STEP EMAILS (CHECK SPAM FOLDERS TOO)
  • Students will perform LIVE (via Zoom) in front of a panel of judges. The top 25 students will advance to the Semifinals.
• Round 3 (Semifinals): July 30, 2023
  • Judges will select the top 10 students and 2 alternates to perform during The Finals Performance.
• Finalist Rehearsal Week: September 5-9, 2023 (Times TBD)
  • If a virtual event is necessary the rehearsals will be rescheduled for August 9-13, 2023.  Upon request, religious accommodations will be considered by our Artistic Director.
• The Finals: September 10, 2023
  
  • The top 10 students and the 2 alternates will perform live on stage at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square.
  • The students will be have musical accompaniment during their solo performance.
  • The top four students selected by the judges will be asked to perform a final song at The Finals.

Submit Your Audition

THE JUDGING PROCESS

Contestants will be judged by accomplished, music professionals representing Northeast Ohio. The judges are qualified in a wide variety of musical genres including, but not limited to, pop, R&B, classical, jazz and musical theater.

For Rounds 1 & 2, as well as the Semifinals, a panel of judges will choose the students who will advance.

At The Finals, celebrity judges will select the top four students who will perform a second time. The audience, in conjunction with the judges, will then select the order of the winners.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help spread the word! Encourage any eligible high school student who has a passion for singing to enter the competition by uploading their video auditions between April 17- June 30, 2023 here.

Specific details will be promoted through emails to teachers and music coaches, directors and as well as directly to students via shiningstarcle.org, social media and television and radio partners.