The Oak Harbor Music Festival announced auditions for its annual Teen Talent Showcase. Winners get the chance to perform in front of the festival’s live audience on Labor Day weekend.

Young musicians residing in Island County, age 12-18, are eligible. Solo acts and groups are welcome. Audition videos should go by email, before the deadline of June 3 at midnight, to the Festival Musical Director Larry Mason at music@oakharborfestival.com.

Mason said the talent showcase is a fabulous chance for local teenage musicians to shine on stage.

“Over the years we’ve followed them as they’ve grown their careers,” he said. “Many are still performing, teaching and songwriting as adults. What a thrill to hear from one of them just this month that, standing on our stage as a 16-year-old and seeing the crowd’s reaction, it was the first time they realized someone really wanted to listen to them play. We believe music inspires our community, and this was a perfect example.”

Four acts will be selected by the festival’s judges to perform on Sunday, Sept. 1.

Questions about the Teen Talent Showcase should go to Larry Mason, music@oakharborfestival.com.

Oak Harbor Music Festival’s mission is to inspire our community with the power of music. Since its founding in 2012, the festival has brought thousands of music lovers to Pioneer Way every Labor Day weekend for three days of free music. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the festival has provided over $100,000 to date in scholarships and musical instruments to young Whidbey Island musicians.