East and Bartlett high schools have been named as recipients of Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Awards. The two Anchorage schools are among 18 selected from around the nation this year.

In addition to cash awards of $5,500 for each school and the chance to advance to a $15,000 national prize, the schools also received workshops in the nuts and bolts of careers in the music industry as part of the Grammy Camp Basic Training program.

The camps were held April 31 and May 1. East received its check from David Sears of the Grammy Foundation and Pamela Alexander of the Ford Foundation on May 1 in a ceremony that included a concert. Bartlett received its award the following day.

According to a press release, the awards recognize "efforts made by schools that are economically underserved."

IGCA auction wraps up

The MOD/ERN May Auction at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art, 427 D St., has been up since May 4, but will close on Thursday. The silent auction features 70 pieces by 30 artists including Sheila Wyne, Don Decker, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Wanda Seamster, Don Mohr, Keren Lowell, Esther Hong, Julie Decker, Erin Osinkosky and many more. Bidding closes at 6 p.m. during a closing reception starting at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Sing your way to Hawaii

A follow-up on the brief announcing that Anchorage's Alaska Sound Celebration swept awards at the regional Sweet Adelines competition held in Spokane, Wash., last month: The 60-woman chorus moves on to the world championships to be held in Hawaii in November 2013. Singers wanting to join the group -- and the trip to the Hawaii championships -- should email info@alaskasoundcelebration.org.

Not to sound a sad note, especially in a music genre where minor chords always resolve in sunny major triads, but local lovers of four-part harmony will miss co-director Karen Leet. Leet will return to Wisconsin, her home state, this summer. A terrific voice, an attentive conductor and an energetic organizer, she was instrumental in bringing two local choruses together to create the multiple-award-winning Sound Celebration.

In a press release, co-director Peggy McBride said, "When Karen and I suggested merging our two separate choruses five years ago, it was with the aim of getting us to the World Championships. We have now qualified for a third time at our highest ever score. Despite our emotions at Karen's decision to leave us, we were all determined to put on our best ever performance for the judges as her crowning achievement in Alaska."

Tribute at Tap Root

Rick Zelinsky and crew present the next in their "Tribute to Jazz Masters" series at 8 p.m. Thursday at Tap Root Cafe, 3300 Spenard Road. The master being honored this time is hard bop pioneer Horace Silver.

Expect Zelinsky to toss in a sample or two of his own compositions from his recent "Icy Grooves" CD. Previous tributes to giants like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins have been well worth the $10 cover -- plus you can eat and drink.

Reach Mike Dunham at mdunham@adn.com or 257-4332.