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USTA to Host Second Annual Open Casting Call for Children to Perform the National Anthem at the 2008 US Open

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 20, 2008 –- The USTA today announced it will host its annual open casting call on Monday, June 9 at Radio City Music Hall to select children to perform the national anthem at the 2008 US Open, August 25 – September 7. Winners will perform the national anthem live at Arthur Ashe Stadium during night sessions of this year’s US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The auditions are free of charge and will be held 9 am – 2 pm ET. Children 12 years of age and younger as of August 25, 2008, will be asked to sing “America the Beautiful” a cappella in front of a panel of celebrity judges from the music and entertainment industries including Constantine Maroulis, a Boston Conservatory graduate and a Top 10 contestant on Season 4 of American Idol.

“We’re thrilled to bring young talent back to a worldwide stage that yields a distinct combination of sport, entertainment and celebrity — the US Open,” said Michelle Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. “Last year’s young singers captivated the crowd and launched an instant US Open tradition.”

The casting call will officially launch the US Open season, with tickets for the 2008 US Open going on sale to the general public the same day. Tickets can be purchased by logging on to www.USOpen.org or by calling 1-866-OPEN-TIX beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 9.

The USTA will announce the final selections in mid-July. The winners will receive a US Open gift bag and tickets to their performance session — in addition to exposure in front of as many as 24,000 fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium. For more information on the open casting call, including the official rules, log on to www.USOpen.org.

Posted on May 20, 2008
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