Dan's Papers - January 18, 2008

Coming up on February 29 at 8 p.m. is the 2nd annual Hampton Idol Competition. This is a fantastic show performed and put together by local students from high schools in the Town of Southampton from Eastport to Sag Harbor, and including Riverhead. The contestants perform just like on American Idol and receive scores from panels of judges consisting of students and adults. The production showcases not only vocal and performance talent, but also backstage and technical skills. "It really is put together by the group of kids," said Nancy Lynott, Director of the Southampton Youth Bureau. For the lineup this year the judges are looking to keep the order to fifteen performers, but this is subject to change as, 32 teens auditioned last Friday.

The returning MC for this year's production will be Hernan Cordoba of Southampton High School. Some of the backstage work is already underway with Anthony Arfi of Westhampton High School on the soundboard and Rachel Lucas and Shelby Hearn of Westhampton High School on lighting. A couple of students have taken on the responsibility of the hustle and bustle backstage. Anna Lynott of Westhampton High School and Stephanie Simpson of Southampton High School will get the performers ready to go on cue.

These sensational singers win prizes of cash, trophies and studio time. The studio time is made possible by donations from local studios such as Power Play Music and Electronics of Westhampton Beach, Thunder Hoof Productions of Hampton Bays, Music Scenes of Eastport and Hampton Music and Arts of Hampton Bays - all of whom also chipped in last year. Students from BOCES cosmetology school will donate their time for hair and makeup, and in general the community comes together to support this particular art. The show will raise money for the local food pantries that are so desperately in need this year.

There are both male and female contestants in this Idol competition. In fact, last year there was a tie for first place and the two winners were a boy and a girl. Peter Cybulski of Flanders and Kristen Steinke of Southampton equally won over the judges' scores.

This is a very clever way to display the talent of local youth. It is an event that we as a community need to support. What fun it is to hear someone with a beautiful voice sing. You never know what magnificent talent will surface at an event like this - the future Kelly Clarkson could be attending classes right here on the East End. After all, that is what the competition is about, right? Hampon Idol hopes to find unknown talent and make it known to the community.

In 2004, American Idol runner up Kelly Pickler was in high school when she showcased her talent during their commencement program at North Stanley High in South Carolina. Taylor Hicks' only experience before American Idol was winning a school talent competition at his high school in Hoover, Alabama. Last year's American Idol winner Jordan Sparks was still in high school at the time of her victory. Katharine McPhee performed in all of the school musicals at Notre Dame High School, gaining the experience that took her into college musicals and then on to American Idol.

The Hampton Idol competition will be held at Westhampton High School where the contestants will be judged on their appearance, stage presence and song choice. None of the judges are mean like Simon Cowell, seeing as this is meant to be a positive experience for the teens, not to discourage them. Each performer will have recorded music playing in the background or live guitar or keyboard. The students are provided with a microphone, amplifier and CD player. The students' personalities will shine through their song choices.

Many of us who are addicted to American Idol are fiending for a fix this time of year. What better way to satisfy than up close and personal, right here at home at the Hampton Idol competition?