Media Theatre's "Vocalist Junior" Heads Into Final Round

The youngsters with the big voices, tons of courage, and bright futures ahead have been giving it their all each Sunday night since the beginning of July at The Media Theatre during "The Vocalist Junior" contest. Now, the Top 15 performers are headed into the Final Round Sunday August 11. After a super Semi-Final in which 25 vocalists, ages 7-13, entertained an appreciative crowd ten will not rejoin their competitors during the Finals.

One of the Top 15 will walk away with $500 and plenty of media attention. Next week’s judges will have a doozy of a time trying to decide who should be named the winner, if the Semi-Finals were an indication.

Jesse Cline, the Artistic Director for The Media Theatre, is the one constant judge throughout the event as it propels forward from July into August. He is joined weekly by two guest judges who rate contestants on a scale of 1-10 in three categories: Vocal Ability, Stage Presence, and Song Choice. Cline has the added category of Individualism, which refers to their unique qualities and growth week to week. Each contestant has the opportunity to receive a total of 100 points each week.

At the level of talent seen within the Semi-Finals, in which each performer gave it their all vocally, the categories of Stage Presence and Song Choice most likely had an impact on the outcome. Some of the contestants performed songs from Broadway shows and dressed the part, such as Glen Mills’ Katheryn Cooper, 10 years old, who performed “Maybe” from the musical “Annie” dressed in what she believed an orphan would wear.  A few performed songs rarely heard by the youth in the competition, such as Fiona Moser, 10, of Havertown who chose “Brimstone and Treacle” from the stage version of Disney’s “Mary Poppins”.

Within the two acts, there seemed to be themes that popped up. “Wicked” was a big part of the night’s occasion, as three young ladies at the end of Act One performed consecutive numbers from that hit show. Cline, always enjoying being honest with the youngsters to see what type of reaction he might receive, slyly stated, “You know that I don’t like that show, but all three of you girls did a great job.” His comment did not deter the three youngsters, or the young lady who performed yet another number from that musical in Act Two, from giving it their all and proudly proclaiming how much they love the show. Two of the four who chose “Wicked” anthems moved forward to the Finals.

Several of the youthful and energetic singers chose songs that are difficult for adults, let alone children. Two Media residents--Elaina Fitzgerald, 10, and Brianna Jaffe, 11-- each brought all of their gusto to the stage with one of the biggest show-stoppers of all time, “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. Neither of them got rained on as each moved forward into the Final Round.

As the nerves and anxiety mounted, there were a few who succumbed to the pressure. Cline stated  words of wisdom that seemed to ring true for all of the contestants: “You cannot let something like that bother you,” Cline said. “All of us go through it. A mistake has nothing to do with what you have to offer in the total big picture of what it is you love to do. If you learn anything from being here the past four weeks, take that with you and it will make you stronger. What you do on stage is something to be proud of.”

The Top 15 “Vocalist Junior” who will return to next week’s Final Round are:  Morgan Bitzberger, 11, Thornton;  Alli Buchanan, 11, Upper Darby;  Kieran Clark, 11, Media;  Katheryn Cooper, 10, Glen Mills; Elaina Fitzgerald, 10, Media;  Vicky Heppard, 11, Ridley Park;  Justina Holahan, 11, Phoenixville;  Brianna Jaffe, 11, Media;  Haley Lebermann, 11, Downingtown;  Selena Marie, 13, Maple Shade, NJ;  Rachel McVey, 9, Norristown;  Fiona Moser, 10, Havertown;  Jacqueline Scheck, 13, Brookhaven;  Emily Smith, 12, Media; and Emily Steinhardt, 13, of Berwyn.

One of those fifteen talented young singers will be named 2013’s “Vocalist Junior” at The Media Theatre on Sunday, August 11 promptly following the show that begins at 7pm. The contest is sponsored by Iron Workers Bank.

To vote for your favorite online at $2 per vote which assists The Media Theatre’s youth programs, visit mediatheatre.org. Your votes may assist someone in moving into the Top Five. (Next week’s Final Round is divided into two acts. Act One is the Top 15. Following Act One, votes are tallied. The Top Five move into Act Two on Sunday, August 11 after which “The Vocalist Junior” is chosen.)

Call 610-891-0100 for information.

(Pictured: 11 year old Vicky Heppard of Ridley Park as she performs "Age Of Aquarius" during the Vocalist Junior Semi-Finals at Media Theatre. She did move on to the Final Round.)