MURRIETA – Cash prizes

totaling $750 may be awarded to winners of the Murrieta Rotary Club’s annual music contest for high school-age students after a competition in February for which applicants are now sought.

Students will perform in either of three categories – instrumental, piano, or vocal – as they strive for prizes and the right to move on to district-level competition.

Applications must be filed with the club no later than Feb. 20. The contest will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 and is open to the public. The location is the Salvation Army Center at 40270 Los Alamos Road in Murrieta.

This is the 14th year regional Rotarians have conducted the contest, about 25 clubs participating by staging local competitions before sending musicians on to the Advertisement

[ Carrington Home Loans ] district level. The contest not only recognizes outstanding young talent, but also encourages musicians to strive for even greater levels of accomplishment.

Last year’s Murrieta contest saw judges advance five of the 15 entrants onto district competition, where they compete for more cash awards.

Murrieta expects to reward its first place winner with a $400 cash prize. Awards of $250 to the second place finisher and $100 to third place may also be granted. In addition to the winner, judges may also advance other contestants to the district competition if they are deemed ready to compete at that level.

Professional musicians will judge the entrants.

Information materials and entry forms are available on the club’s Web site at murrietarotary.org. Those seeking more details may call the contest chair, Al Vollbrecht, at 698-7766.