The teens will take over the Turnage Theatre gallery on Saturday night.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Beaufort County Traditional Music Association will host its first Youth Talent Showcase, featuring seven young musicians from Beaufort and Pitt counties: Sydney Moore, 16; Shelby Lynn Daw, 13; Caroline Dare, 14; Jesse Skinner, 15; Marye Amanda McDaniel, 16; Jonathan Harris, 16; and Will Stovall, 15.

It’s a new venture for the grassroots music organization, one spurred by BCTMA musicians’ desire to passing the tradition of live music down to future generations.

“We said we need to do something for the kids and give them a showcase, give them an opportunity to perform so we can let them know how much we appreciate their efforts,” said Linda Boyer, BCTMA chairwoman. “Everybody need encouragement and a lot of times, young people, they might be interested in something but they might lose interest because they get discouraged. … You know we artists can get discouraged when we’re not appreciated,” Boyer laughed.

The emphasis is on live music: most of the young musicians will perform with an accompanist, but no one will play with prerecorded music, Boyer said.

“It’s important to learn an instrument. Learning an instrument and being able to sing just frees you up to so much more,” Boyer said.

Several of the young performers have previously made public appearances in Washington: Dare and McDaniel, who will both perform original songs, have performed at Music in the Streets, Washington’s mini-music festival held monthly during the warmer months of the year, while Skinner has long been involved, and playing, with BCTMA.

There’s no charge for Saturday’s show, but Boyer said BCTMA is accepting donations that will be used to further the youth effort, by establishing a scholarship with the money raised. That could mean a college scholarship for an aspiring musician or funding a performance for school-aged children — Boyer said BCTMA is keeping its option open.

The Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington. For more information, visit bctma.org. For more information about openings available in Saturday’s Youth Showcase, contact Boyer at bctma@ymail.com.