Staff Writer
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
Pauls Valley — It’s time to line up and belt out what ‘ya got as auditions for this year’s local Valley Idol Talent Competition Showcase are set for this week.
Auditions for two age categories are scheduled to go from 7 p.m. to around 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9 at the Stark Gallery located at 211 South Chickasaw across the street from Sharpe’s.
With a fee of $15 included for those trying out, the two-day audition process will ultimately lead to Valley Idol’s actual performance planned for a 7 p.m. start on March 26 at the high school auditorium.
“The audition process has one set of judges and the performance will have another set,” said Kevin Stark of the Pauls Valley Arts Council.
“The judges have a wide variety of experiences. Some are music professors and some have performed in a country band,” he said, referring to the five judges lined up for the auditions.
As for those planning to give Valley Idol a shot, Stark said they can bring music and sing with during the auditions or they can be accompanied by live music. Photos of each participant will also be taken.
When the auditions do begin, singers will be sorted into one of two categories — school age of 18 years old under or the adult group for those 19 and up.
“We only have 18 slots for the show; that’s why we have auditions,” he said.
With this being the third year for the local Arts Council to sponsor the event Stark said it’s been a pleasant surprise at just how good singing the talent has been for the Valley Idol auditions and public performances.
“The talent the first year was really good,” Stark said.
“The second year it was phenomenal, off the charts. The talent was just amazing,” he said.
“I think a lot of people expected some pretty good amateurs. It’s been a lot better than that. Some of these people could be professional performers.”
The Valley Idol show later this month will actually open up with last year’s winner, Toni Sampson.
Trophies will be given to the first, second and third place winners in each of the two categories.
The top performers will also be given some recording time in a studio, along with the chance to perform later on at a theater in Ada.
“We’re working toward having the winner sing at a Thunder or RedHawks game,” Stark said, referring to Oklahoma City’s professional basketball and minor league baseball teams.
