FRACKVILLE - Today six contestants will remain in the hunt for the title of Schuylkill County Idol 2013 after ten contestants worked in performances Tuesday evening to impress the audience and the judges with their talent.
Last week the 11th Schuylkill County Idol, for performers 16 to 30, kicked off at the Schuylkill Mall.
Autumn Maurer, 19, of Frackville; Rich Harper, 20, of Cumbola; Tiff Maley, 20, of Frackville; Suk Casey Fung, 18, Pottsville; Justine Ellis; 19, of Pottsville; Ryan Wilkinson, 28, of Pottsville; Cody Wiley, 23, of Pottsville; Dynasia Irving, 17, of Shenandoah; Jacob Tarconish, 18, of Barnesville; and Dana Randall, 21, Girardville sang during Tuesday's. Each sang one tune and participate in a duet round.
Tarconish was the first contestant of the evening to perform. He sang "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. Later, he performed in a duet with Ellis that the judges said was believable.
"I want to make you feel wanted," Wiley sang as he played the song "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes on his guitar, sitting in a chair.
A female in the audience remarked, "That was awesome," in reference to Wiley's performance.
The judges seemed to agree. "I thought that was outstanding. I really enjoyed it," judge Jeff Buchanan said.
"Your self expression was very evident," judge Allison Stella added.
Kim Russell Seibert, another judge, said, "The delivery was very, very real."
Contestants were judged on stage presence, technical ability, showmanship and overall performance.
The six contestants the remain will be announced at 3 p.m. today on the Schuylkill Mall website, www.shopschuylkillmall.com.
They will then compete at 6 p.m July 16 at the mall's center court. They will each then sing three songs, two of their choosing and one from top Billboard hits, Elaine Maneval, mall manager, said.
Then at 3 p.m. July 17, the three contestant that remain will be announced on the website and they will perform at 6 p.m. July 23. A winner will be named at the end of the night.
There is no judging of the contestants by fans this year - a new twist for the idol contest.
In the past judges selected the contestants from the first round to advance to the next round. That has not changed. Then, the determination of who advance was the result of the judges' scores and votes from fans who were allowed to vote at the mall once a day.
Maneval explained the reason for the change.
"We received voter and contestant feedback that contestants who did not live in a fairly close proximity to the mall were at a disadvantage as it was challenging for family and friends to get here daily to vote for them and it is a singing competition, and the best people to truly judge who the best vocalist is would be our judges, who have vocal training."
She said it was not a decision made without consideration.
"It's a situation that we've been looking at and evaluating each year and we looked at opportunities to perhaps counter that challenge such as online voting, telephone (voting). We haven't been able to get comfortable that any other method would guarantee only one vote per person other than in person," Maneval said.
Voting via Facebook could be possible in the future, she said. The current decision will stay in effect, she said, adding the mall has received no negative comments about the change.
If that change in policy troubled the audience, it wasn't apparent as fans were responsive to the singers by clapping during the evening.
Harper sang "Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin Daddies. He moved his head back and forth many times, his brown hair moving as he did.
"You've got something. But what it is I have no idea," said Buchanan.
Maurer also seemed to impress the audience. She said "Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys.
"You put a lot of fire into that song," Seibert said.
After a break, each contestant did a duet with someone of their choosing.
Tarconish and Ellis appeared to have natural chemistry during their moment in the spotlight.
Tarconish looked at Ellis while she was singing and even walked over at one point and touched her shoulder and her hand.
When they were done the audience applauded loudly. The judges were also impressed.
"The interaction between the two of your was very good, " Buchannan said.
Fung and Irving didn't need music to sing their duet, "No one" by Alicia Keys.
Pauline Jaskierski, 73, and Gail Berger, 70, both of Frackville, have been in the audience every year for the idol competition. The said they enjoy the talent.
"It just fascinates me the talent that these kids have," Jaskierski said.