(Wylie) June 4, 2012 – Thursday, June 7 began the first elimination rounds in the Searching for a Star 2012 vocal competition in Wylie. Fifty-one young performers entered the competition, representing 16 cities.
Performers came from as far away as Winnsboro, Texas to audition for the sixth year of the competition. Cities represented include Allen, Coppell, Farmersville, Forney, Heath, Lavon, Lucas, Mesquite, Murphy, Parker, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Winnsboro and Wylie.
“We are so excited about this year’s competition!” SFAS founder Rob Hunter said. “These kids are so talented and have so much heart!”
Searching for a Star is for singers ages 8 through 18. All are invited to compete, regardless of their level of training. The contest’s goal is to find talented area singers and reward them with scholarships and cash prizes for their schools.
Competition will consist of four elimination rounds of singing and then the finals. The first three elimination rounds are June 7, 8 and 9. Singers who make it through those rounds will compete in the semi-finals on June 14. Nine lucky and talented singers will emerge from the semi-finals to compete in the finals on June 16.
First-, second- and third-place performers in each category will go on to the finals to compete for the top prize.
The first competition round is Thursday, June 7 at the First Baptist Church Wylie Event Center in historic downtown Wylie, 200 N. Ballard Ave., Wylie, 75098. Rounds 2 and 3 will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at Park Lake Church, 3702 Sachse Rd., Sachse, 75048.
For the first three rounds, Elementary performs (age 8 to 10) begin at 4:30 p.m., Middle performers (age 11 to 14) start at 6:30 p.m. and the Seniors (age 15 to 18) begin at 8 p.m.
Excitement builds as the competition returns to the First Baptist Church Wylie Event Center for the semi-finals beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 14.
Four rounds of competition culminate Saturday, June 16, when the competitors step into the spotlight on for the Finals at the Event Center. Finals begin at 6 p.m.
“We invite the community to come out and support these young performers,” Hunter said. “We think you’ll be amazed at their talent, dedication and spirit of fun!”
Each week the singers are assigned a music genre from which to select their songs. Performers will sing two songs at the finals: one will be performer’s choice and the other will be chosen by the Searching for a Star founders.
“We invite you to come support your stars – some of these young performers will blow you away!” Hunter said.
There is a $6 admission fee for the first three rounds of competition (children five and under are free). For the semi-finals, the charge is $8; and for the finals, the charge is $10.
Fundraising goes online
For the first time, Searching for a Star Foundation will utilize the power of the Internet to raise funds.
“Everyone can go online and look at all our wonderful prizes and buy raffle tickets online!” Hunter said. “Our business partners have been so generous with their support. We have guitars, handheld video recorder, home decorations and more!”
Raffle tickets are $5 each. Patrons can buy tickets for the specific item they want. Tickets will be sold up to the value of the item. For example, a $100 item will have twenty $5 raffle tickets available for purchase.
To view the prizes and purchase tickets go to the SearchingforaStar.org website and click on the “Raffle” tab.
For more information, contact the Ballard School of Performing Arts, 972-429-0047, searchingforastar.org.
Previous Searching for a Star winners success
Searching for a Star winners have gone on to record CDs, work with celebrity artists and have started stage careers.
2011’s SFAS winner Clay Mobley is waiting to hear the results of his audition for X Factor.
2009 SFAS winner D’Moreya Woods is under influence of Usher Camp for development and began his career by winning the Searching for a Star competition.
2009 SFAS contestant Delaney Beckman is represented by the Core Talent and has performed in several film and stage productions.
2008 SFAS winner Taylor Beckham signed with Arketekt Ent./mischkemusic inc. Watch her YouTube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Wi1PhmXmU&feature=share
2008 SFAS category winner Ashley Lee is performing all over the country and released her first EP (a five- to eight-song teaser CD), “County Line.”
2007 SFAS winner Jonathan Pilgrim landed a promotion and Record deal with Tree Leaf Studios in Atlanta, GA. He also did a recording with Bow Wow and is a voice instructor at Baylor University. Jonathan tried out for American Idol and made it to the Top 24 in season six.
For more information, contact SFAS founder Rob Hunter at 847-623-0577 or the Ballard School of Performing Arts, 972-429-0047, searchingforastar.org.
About Searching for a Star
It’s the sixth year for the competition, sponsored by the Ballard School for the Performing Arts in Wylie. This year, Hunter’s Search for a Star Foundation plans to award approximately $6,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to contestants and to their respective school education foundations.
Although the competition was inspired by TV’s “American Idol,” it’s more than just a contest, Hunter said.
“Searching for a Star is designed to educate, build self-esteem, and strengthen the character of our youth and young adults. It’s as simple as that … it’s completely about sharpening the talent of our kids and helping to mold them into the role models of tomorrow,” he explained.
Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue is enthusiastic about the Searching for a Star program.
“Searching for a Star is an exciting benefit for the youth in our community,” Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue said. “Rob and Debbie Hunter created something special, when they developed this program. They have found a way to highlight a young person’s talent; and at the same time build confidence and discipline. It is an amazing program, and I can’t wait to see this year’s competition.”
Over the past five years, the foundation has awarded over $25,000 in cash awards and scholarships. Last year, $5,000 was awarded to competition winners.
The Searching for a Star Foundation is a nonprofit scholarship program whose goal is to enhance music, dance, theatre and visual art training. Special focus is given to families with limited income but whose children would benefit by extracurricular involvement in performing and visual arts. SFAS Foundation also works to unite and strengthen the community by creating a mentoring program designed to introduce local seniors to young people. Founder Rob Hunter, originally from the Chicago area, is an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalist.
Rob and his wife Debbie own the Ballard Street Music Store in historic downtown Wylie and were named the 2011 Large Business of the Year by the Lavon Chamber of Commerce.
Submitted by Jamie Engle.
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