5 Bucks Co. Students Are Winners In Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Five Bucks County students have been named winners in an International Youth Solo Contest staged by the nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center in Doylestown.

This year's contest attracted more than 100 student musicians, including representation from Bucks County and as far away as Thailand. Thirteen U.S. states and two countries were represented among the competitors.

"The contest serves the very important job of educating young musical theatre enthusiasts about the tremendous influence Oscar Hammerstein II had on the development of the modern Broadway musical as we know it," said contest organizers. "The contest also raises international awareness of the nonprofit’s mission to preserve Oscar Hammerstein’s Doylestown home and expand the museum. Plans include building a theatre education center on the site of the existing bank barn."

High School Division

• First Place: Addison Wynkoop, Age 14, Bellefonte
• Second Place: Charlotte Raynor, Age 15, Doylestown
• Third Place: Gabrielle Arias, Age 15, Newtown

High school division winners from Bucks County are Charlotte Raynor, left, and Gabrielle Arias.

Middle School Division

• First Place: Ing Ing Itthiratanakomol, Age 12, Nonthaburi, Thailand
• Second Place: Elisabeth Choi, Age 10, Leonia, NJ
• Third Place: Ellie Joy Fortson, Age 11, Edgewater, NJ

Elementary School Division

• First Place: Elle Campbell, Age 9, Chesapeake, VA
• Second Place: Ruby Caramore, Age 8, Norfolk, VA
• Third Place: Serena Ryoo, Age 10, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Bucks County Division

• First Place: Sarah MacLean, Age 17, Doylestown
• Second Place: Reese Leichter, Age 16, Doylestown
• Third Place: Roslyn Cooper, Age 8, Holland

The Bucks County winners are: Sarah MacLean, first place; Reese Leichter, second place; and Rosyln Cooper, third place.

This year’s winners will receive a cash prize with first-place winners invited to perform during the "Some Enchanted Evening Gala" benefiting the Hammerstein Museum on Sunday, October 19 at the Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm in Bucks County. A prestigious panel of judges evaluated the solo submissions, including Professor Kathleen Wrinn of Syracuse University Department of Drama and Bucks County native Dr. Paul Wolf of McNeese State University.

New Young Playwright Festival

In a new educational initiative, the museum has announced its inaugural Bucks County Young Playwrights Festival. Young playwrights from Bucks County schools currently in grades 9-12 are invited to submit their original, one-act scripts for the festival. Up to four plays will be selected for a staged reading by theatre professionals in April. Student writers can click here for more information and to submit their works.

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of Oscar Hammerstein II's Doylestown home and telling the story of his legacy as a librettist, lyricist, humanitarian and mentor. Tours are offered Friday to Monday and include stories about Oscar Hammerstein's musical family, how his groundbreaking musicals forever changed the modern-day book-musical, and additional insight into his contributions to society through his many humanitarian acts. Tickets are available by clicking here.