You don’t have to go
to NYC to find talented young up-and-coming performers. The Media Theatre’s
summer contest “Vocalist Junior” allows local young singers to shine on stage
each Sunday night at 7pm now through August 13.
The singers are in
the age range of 7-13, so the annual competition is very entertaining for
audiences, much like the popular national singing contests on television.
Produced by Media Music Theatre Co., the weekly showcases provide ample
opportunity for the contestants, allowing them a chance to perform for large
audiences while honing their skills on Delaware County’s only professional
music theater stage.
The contestants have
been culled from recent auditions held at the theater’s new School and Dance
Studio. Even though a winner is eventually announced at the end of the six week
competition, no one is eliminated until after the fourth week.
“Audiences will
actually get to see each contestants grow,” said Media Music Theatre Co.
Artistic Director Jesse Cline. “We also look at this as an educational
experience. So, rather than singing one song and leaving the competition, each
vocalist has the opportunity to learn a bit more about what it takes to perform
in front of an audience on a professional stage.”
Cline, as the one
constant judge, is a part of an important process in the competition. He will
have an extra category on his ballot that will not appear on the guest judges’
tally sheets. His added category is Individualism, which reflects his
connection to the singers each week and his rapport with them following their
performances.
Cline said. “There
may be a week in which a young singer falters a bit, but I will know what they
are capable of and who they are. The Individualism category speaks to the fact
that each contestant is unique. Their interests and what is best for them
should come first. Each has their own story to tell in their own way.”
The guest judges will
mark their ballots in three categories:
Song Choice, Vocal Ability, and Stage Presence. Cline will have those
three, plus his extra category. All categories will utilize a 1-10 ranking
system, with 1 being the lowest score and 10 being the highest.
Online voting will
take place again this year, not affecting any outcome until after Week Four. As
with the judges’ scoring, the online voting will also be accumulated for four
weeks. After Week 4, online scores will be tallied and the person with the most
votes online will receive an added 30 points to their total score. The additional
points may or may not assist them in moving forward. The second-place online
vote-getter will receive an added 25 points, with the third receiving 20 extra.
Vote-getters four through 10 receive 15 extra points, and those who rank 11-15
online will gain 10 extra points to possibly move them into the semifinals.
“We value our
first-time Media Theatre performers as well as those returning,” Cline said.
“To have so many aspiring young vocalists from Delaware County and the
Philadelphia region interested in our programs here is a big stamp of
approval.”
The top five in each
contest receive cash prizes. “Vocalist Junior” is sponsored by Iron Workers
Bank. For more information or tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org
The 2017 “Vocalist
Junior” contestants are Ella Baker, 10, Media; Savi Bell, 10, Conshohocken; Jada Bochanski, 10,
Broomall; Charlie Carroccio, 7, Newtown Square; Katie Cotrotsios, 9, West Chester; Sophia
Cotrotsios, 12, West Chester; Annie Curry, 11, Broomall; Grace Curry, 13,
Broomall; Zachary Divito, 12, Aston; Emily Dogum, 11, Glen Mills; and Gabrielle
Dove, 10, Sharon Hill.
Also
joining the contest are Katie Foca, 11,
Wallingford; Zachary Graaf, 12, Havertown; Adrian Henry, 7, Havertown; Bridget
Henry, 10, Havertown; Skylar Kelly, 13, Phoenixville;
Khadijah King, 7, Drexel Hill; Lily Lexer, 8, Malvern; Maya Maloskey, 11, Malvern; Natalie Mancini, 10, Broomall; Noelle Mancini, 7, Broomall; Isabella Martinez,
13, Woolwich, NJ.
The list continues with Lauren
Mcalee, 11, West Chester; Alexsa Mckeown, 11, Brookhaven; Fayonna Delisa Morgan, 12, Newark, De; Zoe Nesbitt, 7, Drexel Hill; Amanda Treston, 13, Malvern; Mary Kate Vink, 13, West Chester; Alexis
Whiteside, 11, Morton; and Violet Wiley, 11, of Woodlyn.
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