Pianists sought for American Grands concert

Starting Friday, Aug. 15, pianists of all levels may apply to perform in the Elgin Community College Arts Center's American Grands XX. The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, in Building H at the college, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Applications will be accepted at elgin.edu/americangrands beginning Friday, Aug. 15 until midnight on Friday, Sept. 12.

Applicants are required to attend three to four rehearsals and may be required to perform in two of the three concerts - which will be held at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

Billed as "the piano event of the year," American Grands will celebrate its 20th anniversary this coming January. It features almost 500 performers of all talent levels and age groups from throughout the area. Up to 24 musicians perform classical and popular music at once on a dozen grand pianos generously provided by Cordogan's Pianoland in Geneva, the event sponsor.

Colin Holman returns as conductor and Jon Mortensen as percussionist for the event.

For more information, contact music director Larry Dieffenbach at (847) 214-7404 or ldieffenbach@elgin.edu.