MECHANIC FALLS — The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its first annual Guitar Competition for high school students.
The contest is open to all Maine high school students in grades 9 through 12. Contestants are required to submit a video of their performance by March 1 to be judged by the Executive Board of the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. The grand prize is a Martin guitar, which will be presented to the winner at the 45th annual Induction Ceremony, scheduled for May 15 at the Silver Spur.
Contestants must select and perform three pieces of country music on guitar, each in a different key, including a song demonstrating technical skill, a ballad in 3/4 time, and a song of the contestant’s choice, demonstrating ability to solo on a melody.
Judges will be listening for level of skill, as in technical ability, cleanliness of execution, ability to play in varying keys and meters, ability to play expressively, phrasing.
For a copy of the competition rules and an official entry form, contact Maria Holloway at mariaholloway207@gmail.com, or call 603-553-1973.
New members will be honored and a lively concert showcasing Hall of Fame inductees and living legends will follow.
The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1978. The museum, established in 2008, is the only country music hall of fame museum east of Nashville. The 3,000-square foot space in the lower level of the Silver Spur is a showcase for thousands of Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum historic memorabilia accumulated over the decades, bringing to life and preserving the legacy of its over 140 inductees from all over Maine.
The museum is open year-round by appointment by calling 207-654-2227. For more information, check out the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Facebook page.
