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Stafford resident Ricky Ayala, 13, performs the Jackson Five song 'I Want You Back' during auditions for Virginia Icon, a contest for middle and high-school students.
Elise Myers (left) of Waynesboro performs a version |
By CATHY DYSON
The Virginia Icon judges made one thing clear at the Stafford YMCA auditions on Saturday.
"We're not like American Idol in any way, shape or form," said Suzanne Hill, a judge from Westmoreland County.
She said no one shouts, boos or makes snide remarks like Simon Cowell does on American Idol.
But there's an even bigger difference between the national phenomenon and the statewide event.
"On American Idol, they have to figure out a way to do 10,000 people in two days," said Michael Hean-ey, a judge from Fauquier County. "Not our problem."
"That would be a nice problem to have, it really would," Hill added.
Instead, the volunteers from the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, which sponsors the event, far outnumbered the contestants on Saturday.
Only three young people showed up during the four-hour audition.
Turnout was similar throughout the state. At five auditions--near Roanoke and in Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg and Richmond--about 20 middle-and high-school students auditioned.
Virginia Icon judges will pick up to 20 semifinalists, who will take part in a free one-day workshop on stage presence, then compete in October at the Landmark Theater in Richmond.
Judge Hill said she "beat the bushes" in the Fredericksburg area, notifying local music stores and churches about the audition.
That's how Jake Bumbrey, 16, of Stafford heard about it. He has been singing since he was 8 and recently won the "America's Got Talent" event at the Bragg Hill Community Center.
He went online Friday to search for a song and spent the rest of the day perfecting "I Wanna Know."
"For just finding out about the competition yesterday, you put together a good show," said Rhonda LaVenuta of Woodbridge.
Judges also complimented Ricky Ayala, a 13-year-old from Stafford who has won events at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem. He sang "I Want You Back" by the Jackson Five.
"We enjoyed listening to you," LaVenuta said.
"That song brings back a lot of memories," Hill added.
The other contestant, 12-year-old Elise Myers, lives near Waynesboro but was vacationing in Nags Head this week. Her mother drove to North Carolina to get her, so Elise could play her guitar and sang "Me and Bobby McGee."
Several other students from the Fredericksburg area auditioned at other venues.
Judges will notify semifinalists this week. The 2008 Virginia Icon will win $1,000 and recording studio time.
virginiaicon.comCathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
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The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, with offices in Falls Church and Richmond, works to involve families in their children's education. The group also serves disabled children, said Cherie Takemoto, executive director. PEATC--pronounced "peat-C"--decided three years ago to sponsor the Virginia Icon contest. Members thought the competition would get the word out about PEATC and its programs, which have been around for 30 years. Takemoto believes the singing contest is one more way for families--and communities--to connect with children. "It recognizes that talent is not just in reading, writing and arithmetic," she said. |
