Having great voices didn't hurt, either.
On Thursday afternoon at Sentinel High School, Julia Neaves and Victoria Valentine were chosen as the school's two finalists for the First Night Idol Competition.
Next week, after Big Sky High School students take to the stage, all the finalists and alternates will be known and the list confirmed for the final showdown on Dec. 31 at the Wilma Theatre during First Night celebrations. Contestants from Hellgate High and the Boys and Girls Clubs are also participating.
Who will earn the crown of First Night Idol 2009?
It will be whoever brings his or her “A” game on that night, at that time, in front of a packed house, First Night Idol judge Bob Wire told his Sentinel High School audience.
His advice stirred the 20 contestants to step up their performances and shake off nerves.
Each and every would-be finalist received constructive, supportive pointers from the judges. No snarky Simon Cowell power-mongers here. And that was a good thing.
Every teenager left the stage with positive, tangible feedback and a hearty round of applause from their peers in the audience.
Performers were judged on vocal ability, quality of sound, presentation, stage presence and audience engagement.
Extra points were given for original material, which served Samuel McCue well.
The Sentinel senior kept the judges riveted with an acoustic performance of a song he wrote called “Summer in My Heart.”
Valentine captivated the judges singing Kellie Pickler's country debut “Red High Heels.”
From start to finish, the Sentinel junior owned the empty stage with her polished and sassy take on the sassy song about a woman moving on from her ex-boyfriend.
“You knocked us out,” said Elton Anderson - “Mr. Manners” - who joined Wire and Deserae Pollock at the judges' table.
Neaves gave an equally impressive yet vastly different performance of pop singer KT Tunstall's “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.”
The song is about finding one's way in the world, making choices and fate.
Like Valentine, Neaves moved around the stage, using the large space in a dynamic way that kept her audience riveted.
When it came time for the judges to comment, Pollock said: “You are an amazing performer.”
Said Wire: “The song was a gutsy choice and you delivered.”
Since the event's inception four years ago, Missoula-area teenagers have stepped up to the challenge, bringing their best effort to the stage, said Sara Bruya, event coordinator for the Missoula Cultural Council.
“I've been so amazed by the talent of these local kids,” Bruya said, “I've seen a lot talent and a lot of courage in these kids.”
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)