Although lacking pop icons Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez or Stephen Tyler, Hillsdale College will host the auditions for Capital 1 Credit Union Teen Idol. The auditions will be held this May.
For the eighth year running, Hillsdale College will host the auditions, showcasing the singing talents of kids ages 13 to 19 and raising money to support local arts and schools.
According to their website, the purpose of the competition is to support the education and arts, both of local organizations and for the Jackson School of the Arts.
“The purpose of American 1 Teen Idol is to provide young singers with an opportunity to showcase their talents and raise money for the Jackson School of the Arts and one other non-profit to be named by the event’s overall winner,” the website says.
The event is intended to be one part competition, one part advertising, and one part charity for the community, Jayme Bicknell, Capital 1 Credit Union representative and planner said.
“Each student must raise $250 for charity,” she said. “So it is a charity event as well.”
The Hillsdale event is just one of four venues hosting the auditions coming this May, as Hillsdale’s auditions are on May 15 in Battle Creek, Mich. on May 8 at the Northwest School Auditorium and two more in Jackson, Mich. on May 1 and 2.
The audition process is the first step of the competition. The contestants that qualify proceed to semi-finals and finals. Both events will be held at the Jackson County Fairgrounds on July 27.
“It’s completely sponsored by American 1 Credit Union,” Bicknell said. “[The ages] are actually really spread out: I have someone who is going to be 13 on the day of the finale, which are the rules. “I have several who are 19, so it is pretty spread out.”
With their own panel of three judges, they aim to improve performances and to support the local arts, according to one of their fliers.
While the exact number will not be determined until registration closes, Bicknell expects somewhere between 60 and 70 kids will register to audition. Of these, 10 will move on to the semi-finals.
“For the auditions they pick their own songs, so it’s whatever they choose,” Bicknell said. “Since auditions are closed we aren’t very picky, but for the finale we are a bit more choosy as they are from 13 to 19 years old.”
Based on the showmanship, stage presence, organization and overall talent, the judges will hone down the numbers and finally select a winner who will receive the grand prize of $1000 and a new iPad, as well as a donation to a charity of their choice.
“It’s a fun, free event,” Marla Sanford of American 1 Credit Union said in an earlier interview. “It’s a nice relaxing atmosphere, and it’s very family-friendly. We’re usually done by 9 p.m.”
tsawyer@hillsdale.edu
