SANDPOINT — This Friday night, the Pend Oreille Arts Council continues its mission of supporting and promoting local artists with a concert event titled, Northern Stars Rising.

The musical showcase is designed to shine a light on local talent, while also giving the performers a leg up as they work to pursue their careers.

Fewer than half of those who auditioned for the show made the final cut, which, apart from the show itself, also includes a chance to compete for cash prizes and the notice of regional talent scouts.

This year’s performance will feature the SHS Choir Barbershop Quartet, Emily Grace Nicholson, Milla Coggin, Brendan Kelty with Pete Hicks, Riley Anderson, and Stone Cloud 4.

Hannah Combs, arts administrator for POAC, discussed the challenging process of narrowing the field of participants and how the concert experience plays into the organization’s overall goals.

Q: What was the inspiration behind this concert?

A: In 2017, POAC was evaluating both the Performing Arts Series and the Visual Arts Program in terms of the value to community members and educational value. We realized that while our Visual Arts Program featured almost entirely local artists, the Performing Arts Series featured almost entirely visiting artists, with rare opportunity for local artists.

We launched the Northern Stars Rising program in order to showcase the variety of performing arts talent that grows here in Bonner County.

Q: Is this a first for POAC? Are there plans to make it an annual part of the lineup?

A: The program was started under a different name in 2018, and we hope to continue the program as long as it is beneficial to local performers.

Q: How important is grooming local talent to POAC’s mission?

A: POAC receives a lot of feedback from artists of all mediums whose goal is to live and work here in Sandpoint. This is undoubtedly a challenge, even for the most ambitious and hardworking. As a large part of POAC’s mission is grounded in education, we saw an opportunity to provide professional development for local artists who are hoping to build a career pursuing their passion. After the inaugural show last year, POAC’s performing arts committee deeply examined and redesigned the program to amplify the professional development opportunities for participants.

Q: What steps were taken toward that goal?

A: They streamlined the eligible participants to vocalists and musicians, as the POAC series already offers opportunities to actors and dancers. This also creates a more cohesive show for the audience. They changed the event from a casual showcase to a music competition with sizable prizes.

Q: Apart from the show, what is expected of the artists who were chosen to perform?

A: Artists are required to audition, and if they are selected to participate, they must then prepare a set list with a specific time limit, write a bio, attend tech rehearsal, commit to attendance requirements, and communicate professionally with the production team. Some of the performers are doing these things for the first time — and are doing a great job!

One act will be awarded the title of Performer of the Year, which comes with further performance opportunities and a professional headshot session. We have recruited guest judges who are influential in the local music scene and may be able to scout out future opportunities for the participants.

Q: Was POAC seeking performers who are just getting started? If so, why this focus?

A: Yes, because of the professional development goals I mentioned, though we may consider in future years developing a mentorship element with established performers. The performers auditioned in adult and student categories, and we allowed students age 16-plus the option to audition as adults, which many did. We’ve seen a great response from 17-20 year olds. Most of them have benefited from a rigorous music education through LPOSD, the Music Conservatory, the Festival at Sandpoint and other music education groups and teachers. Now they are eager to perform publicly, but they can’t play at the 21-plus local venues and they don’t yet have the fan base to book a larger venue. Northern Stars Rising is a playground for them; a chance to stretch their wings, meet Sandpoint’s music community and invest in their careers.

Q: Did the popularity of shows such as ‘America’s Got Talent’ influence the format in any way?

A: Actually, no, and it is a comparison that we’ve tried to discourage. In this production, entertainment is a byproduct of education. We are focused on empowerment, not ratings, and on bringing audience members together to experience the magic of live music, not staying home to watch TV. That may be a cynical perspective, but I believe in the power of live performance!

Q: What was the turnout like for auditions?

A: Six acts were chosen from a pool of 15 who auditioned. Performers were chosen based on their stage presence, technical skills and their potential to benefit from the program.

Q: Is it difficult to select just a few acts for this kind of show? And who made those decisions?

A: Always! The selection committee was made up of two performing arts committee members and the 2018 Performer of the Year. Patty Ericsson, the committee chair, said: ‘It took us a long time to make decisions tonight, but we did it. The quality was far and above what we anticipated, and it was hard to leave some performers out. We all think the selected acts will make for a great show.’

Q: Will a broad spectrum of genres and styles be represented in the concert?

A: We have everything from a barbershop quartet to a hard rock band and over half the lineup are singer-songwriters.

Q: How has it been to work with this particular crop of musicians?

A: It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the performers, and we are so excited to see the Northern Stars shine on Friday.

Northern Stars Rising will take the stage of the Heartwood Center, located at 615 Oak St., in Sandpoint, this Friday, March 29, starting with a reception 6 p.m., seating 6:30 p.m., and the show at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under, available at Eichardt’s Pub and Eve’s Leaves. All other ticket locations and the online ticket service have already sold out.