Young singers of four counties to compete in ‘Idol’ contest
Young singers from Hunt, Lamar, Delta and Hopkins counties will
have a chance to compete in a contest styled after television's "American
Idol."
August 6, 2007 - Finalists will perform Saturday, October 13, on
the outdoor stage at Cooper Lake Center before judges and an audience
that gets a say in the outcome. The event is sponsored by the South
Sulphur Regional Dvelopement Association, the developers of Cooper
Lake Center.
"We're calling it 'Stars Under the Stars,'" said Margo Harbison,
Special Event Spokesperson, SSRDA. "There's an inevitable resemblance
to the 'American Idol' format, but we and the Idol folks are not
connected in any way."
Harbison said information sheets about the contest may be picked
up at any chamber of commerce in the four-county area.
Competitors will be grouped in age divisions: 9 to 12, 13 to 16,
or 17 to 19, depending on their ages as of October 13. Winners will
be named in each age division, and a Best of Show, regardless of
age, will also be chosen.
An application, including the signature of a parent or guardian,
must be submitted to one of the chamber offices or mailed to SSRDA
no later than Sept. 21, Harbison said. The fee, if submitted no later
than August 31, is $10; if submitted after that date, it's $15.
"We know these counties have many talented young singers," Harbison
said, "because over the years a significant number have gone on to
singing careers. Stars Under the Stars wil be a chance for the hometown
crowd to see and hear them — even vote for them."
Harbison explained that, in addition to the scoring by a panel of
judges, members of the audience may buy votes for their favorites
that will be counted for up to 20 percent of their scores.
Votes by the audience will also be permitted at the second of two
auditions on Oct. 6. Audience voting will not be permitted at the
first audition, on Sept. 29. Both auditions will be conducted at
Cooper High School. Maps giving driving directions will be available
at the chambers of commerce.
At the first audition, Harbison said, singers will perform without
accompaniment. At the second audition, each singer is to bring a
recorded accompaniment, tape or CD, limited to three minutes. There
must be no voices on the recording — just instrumental accompaniment.
The same recordings will be used at the final performance on Oct.
13, Harbison said.
— Information provided by SSRDA
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