Post by admin on Aug 13, 2009 4:54:50 GMT -5
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'Freehold Idol' gets set for big summer finish
Finals in two age groups scheduled for Aug. 19, 26 at Hall of Records plaza
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — While local fans of the television show "American Idol" wait patiently for the next round of contestants to vie for the coveted title, Freehold Borough is providing a substitute — its own search for talented individuals.
"Freehold Idol" is in its third year of offering a venue for young people to put their musical talent on display in front of the community.
The third edition of "Freehold Idol" has two age groups, one for singers ages 15-22 and one for singers age 23 and older. The top prize for each age group is $500 plus free studio recording time at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, Marlboro.
Local musician Spook for the talent search, which is held on Wednesday evenings during the summer
on Main Street.
The judges are Mick Walsh, of the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts; Joe Orlando, the owner of the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts; and David Singer, a Freehold Borough resident, business owner and musician.
Singer is a member of the
board of directors of Downtown Freehold.com, which promotes special events in the borough.
The "Freehold Idol" competition that is sponsored by Downtown Freehold.com began in June. Weekly winners have been selected since that time.
The final weekly "Freehold Idol" competition will take place tonight, Aug. 12, in downtown Freehold.
The finals for the 15-22 age group will be held from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 19 and the finals for the 23 and over age group will be held from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 26.
Performances will take place in the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street.
Contestants have come from area towns such as Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Marlboro, Manalapan and Howell, as well as from locations including Lincroft, Manasquan, Riverdale and Springfield.
Music from many genres will be performed by the finalists.
Richard Gatto, CEO of Downtown Freehold. com, said the talent that is seen in "Freehold Idol" gets better each year.
"The talent continues to improve with each 'Freehold Idol' competition," he said, adding that this year's performers have been "amazing."
Singer said he and his colleagues were impressed with the caliber of talent they saw each week.
"Sometimes I feel like we aren't judging 'Freehold Idol,' but that we are sitting at a concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center with each act being better than the one before it," Singer said.
Contestants in the "Freehold Idol" competition are judged 50 percent on the judges' scores and 50 percent on audience reaction.
Walsh, a songwriter who works as a vocal coach at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, lives the life of a musician every day.
"We had a slow start this year, but the quality of the talent continues to improve. This reminds me so much of back home in Liverpool (England)," he added.
He said there are many similarities in the way music is made and presented in the English city and in the Garden State.
"There is so much talent in New Jersey, especially here in Freehold. I don't think it will be long before we see a major star come out of the 'Idol' (competition) in Freehold," Walsh said.
'Freehold Idol' gets set for big summer finish
Finals in two age groups scheduled for Aug. 19, 26 at Hall of Records plaza
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — While local fans of the television show "American Idol" wait patiently for the next round of contestants to vie for the coveted title, Freehold Borough is providing a substitute — its own search for talented individuals.
"Freehold Idol" is in its third year of offering a venue for young people to put their musical talent on display in front of the community.
The third edition of "Freehold Idol" has two age groups, one for singers ages 15-22 and one for singers age 23 and older. The top prize for each age group is $500 plus free studio recording time at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, Marlboro.
Local musician Spook for the talent search, which is held on Wednesday evenings during the summer
on Main Street.
The judges are Mick Walsh, of the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts; Joe Orlando, the owner of the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts; and David Singer, a Freehold Borough resident, business owner and musician.
Singer is a member of the
board of directors of Downtown Freehold.com, which promotes special events in the borough.
The "Freehold Idol" competition that is sponsored by Downtown Freehold.com began in June. Weekly winners have been selected since that time.
The final weekly "Freehold Idol" competition will take place tonight, Aug. 12, in downtown Freehold.
The finals for the 15-22 age group will be held from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 19 and the finals for the 23 and over age group will be held from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 26.
Performances will take place in the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street.
Contestants have come from area towns such as Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Marlboro, Manalapan and Howell, as well as from locations including Lincroft, Manasquan, Riverdale and Springfield.
Music from many genres will be performed by the finalists.
Richard Gatto, CEO of Downtown Freehold. com, said the talent that is seen in "Freehold Idol" gets better each year.
"The talent continues to improve with each 'Freehold Idol' competition," he said, adding that this year's performers have been "amazing."
Singer said he and his colleagues were impressed with the caliber of talent they saw each week.
"Sometimes I feel like we aren't judging 'Freehold Idol,' but that we are sitting at a concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center with each act being better than the one before it," Singer said.
Contestants in the "Freehold Idol" competition are judged 50 percent on the judges' scores and 50 percent on audience reaction.
Walsh, a songwriter who works as a vocal coach at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, lives the life of a musician every day.
"We had a slow start this year, but the quality of the talent continues to improve. This reminds me so much of back home in Liverpool (England)," he added.
He said there are many similarities in the way music is made and presented in the English city and in the Garden State.
"There is so much talent in New Jersey, especially here in Freehold. I don't think it will be long before we see a major star come out of the 'Idol' (competition) in Freehold," Walsh said.