Independent Arts News Reporting Applications Open for Fifth Annual Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest
Reported Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Updated July 14, 2025.
Pictured Above: Remo Mayo at the 2024 Hammerstein Museum Gala. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Singers ages 6-18 from across the world are invited to celebrate the unforgettable lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein
Doylestown, PA – Registration has begun for The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center’s (OHMTEC) fifth annual Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest. The contest is open to vocalists ages 6-18 of all nationalities and centers on celebrating the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II. Winners will receive a cash prize, a voice lesson with a Broadway teaching artist, and an opportunity to perform their winning song at the Hammerstein Museum gala on October 19 in Doylestown, PA. The first four years of the contest attracted nearly 700 performers representing 5 continents and 28 states.
Pictured Above: Stewart Joiner Davis Sings at the 2024 Hammerstein Museum Gala. Photo Credit: Contributed.
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. The contest also raises international awareness of the nonprofit’s mission to create a museum and theatre education center on the grounds of Oscar Hammerstein’s home in Doylestown. The nonprofit purchased the Highland Farm property in December 2023 and has begun curating the museum on the site.
Oscar and his wife, Dorothy, lived with their family at Highland Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania for the last 20 years of his life. This is the place where he forged his legendary partnership with Richard Rodgers and that inspired many of their greatest musical works, including The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. It is also the place where Hammerstein mentored a young Stephen Sondheim.
Pictured Above: Ava Dvorak performing at the 2024 Hammerstein Museum Gala. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Hammerstein’s role as a mentor and humanitarian will play a large role in the forthcoming theatre education center. Plans include a youth theater company; classes in theater, dance, and music production; mentorship programs for young adults and emerging professionals; school programming; writer’s retreats; and outreach programs for all ages, both in-person and virtual. Consistent with the nonprofit’s goal to provide learning opportunities for all, programming fees will be on a sliding scale, and no one will be turned away.
Pictured Above: Solo Contest winners sing with Christy Altomare at 2024 Oscar Hammerstein Museum Gala. Photo Credit: Contributed.
The solo contest is open to singers from across the globe in four categories – Elementary School, Middle School,High School and a local division for residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The first round of finalists will be determined by local musicians, performers, and music educators who have volunteered their time and expertise to adjudicate the contest. Finalists will be announced on August 4th. The final round will be judged by professionals in the industry with connections to Broadway and expertise in the golden-age musical. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each category. First-place winners will receive a cash prize, have the opportunity to perform their song at the Hammerstein Museum gala, and a one-on-one coaching session with a Broadway Professional Teaching Artist.
All proceeds from the contest will benefit The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center. Contest registration will remain open through July 18, 2025. A complete list of Rules and Regulations and a registration link can be found on the OHMTEC website. Winners will be announced via a Facebook Live broadcast from Oscar Hammerstein’s home on September 12, 2025 at 8pm. For more information on the contest visit https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org/25-solo-contest or email chutton.ohmtec@gmail.com.
Highland Farm is open for tours. For dates, times and tickets visit
https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org/tourhighlandfarm.
To contribute to the effort to Create Hammerstein Museum, please visit www.HammersteinMuseum.org/donate.
Pictured Above: Oscar Hammerstein II in his study, Doylestown, PA. Photo Credit: Contributed.
ABOUT THE OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN MUSEUM AND THEATRE EDUCATION CENTER:
The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center is a nonprofit 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. The Hammerstein family resided at Highland Farm from 1940-1960. Hammerstein composed the lyrics to his best-loved musicals while in residence at the farm, including “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma!” “South Pacific” (inspired by Doylestown’s James Michener’s novel Tales of the South Pacific), and others. A friendly neighbor, Hammerstein was known to fly a flag when local children could come to use his swimming pool or play tennis. He also met and mentored a young Stephen Sondheim while living at Highland Farm. Hammerstein’s role as a mentor and humanitarian will play a large role in the planned theatre education center at Hammerstein Museum.
The nonprofit is currently raising funds for the restoration and preservation of Highland Farm, and to
build the theatre education center on the site of the historic barn on the property. Individuals and entities interested in helping to Create Hammerstein Museum can contribute online at https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org/donate. Contributions of any amount can also be made by check, credit card or appreciated securities. Naming opportunities are available for rooms and spaces in the house and barn. Persons or institutions who have an object to donate for consideration in the museum’s collection may visit https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org/contact-us for instructions. For more information email hammersteinmuseum@gmail.com.
