Singers from Schuylkill County will take the stage next week to claim the title of idol.
Schuylkill County Idol XII will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville. Deadline to register to enter the annual singing competition is 5 p.m. Sunday. Participants should return a registration form, song selection form and a photo of themselves to the Schuylkill Mall Customer Service Center.
Dana Baker, mall marketing director, said a rush of registrants is expected over the weekend. She said the contest draws in about 20 singers annually.
"Every year there is more talent. It shows there is so much talent in Schuylkill County," she said.
Baker said the competition will run for four weeks. On Tuesday, the singers will perform a song they selected. All songs will be screened by mall management prior to the contest. Baker said the singing competition is a family friendly event and they don't want the singers to perform songs with inappropriate language or content.
Three judges will score the singers on a scale from one to 10 in four categories - stage presence, technical ability, showmanship and overall performance.
Baker said the judges will tally up the scores and the Top 10 highest scores will be announced Tuesday. The 10 singers will be paired up for duets on the second week of the competition, July 8.
Each round will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Every week the results will be posted in center court or on the mall's website, www.shopschuylkillmall.com, at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Following duets, the field will be slashed to six contestants for the semifinals. Baker said singers will have the songs chosen for them, either by judges, a potluck or some other surprise way.
"We definitely challenge them as the contest progresses," she said.
The Top 3 scorers will advance to the finals on July 22. The winner will be announced on stage that night at 8 p.m.
The winner will get a prize package that includes a $1,000 shopping spree at the Schuylkill Mall, $100 gift certificate courtesy of The Bon-Ton, a makeover courtesy of the Beverly Carlton Salon, professional photo shoot courtesy of Michael's Photography, Frackville, and a performance at the Schuylkill County Fair on Aug. 2.
Baker said in addition to the singing competition, the Schuylkill United Way will be promoting its "Stuff the Bus" campaign to collect school supplies that will be distributed to families who cannot afford necessities like pens, pencils, notebooks and backpacks. She said people will receive a raffle ticket for prizes for every item donated. Baker said those who donate during the first hour of the Idol competition will be entered for a chance to win tickets to a Reading Fightin Phils game.
"They do really well," Baker said. "It really does make a difference."
Now in its 12th year, Baker said the competition continues to draw in singers from around the county who want their time in the spotlight.
"They all want that title. That's what they are all vying for, that title and they love to sing," Baker said.
For more information on Schuylkill County Idol XII, visit the mall's website.
