Frankie Polichio performs in the nine to 12 solo category of the Lamorinda Idol competition.
Audience voting. Professional lighting. Live judges. And 53 of Lamorinda’s most talented young singers – the Lamorinda Idol Finals return to the historic Orinda Theatre on Aug. 16.
Get ready to be wowed.
Selected from 124 solo and group auditions in May, this year’s finalists will rise to new performance levels thanks to a summer of growth.
Throughout the season, finalists have performed at Lafayette Plaza, Orinda Community Park, Moraga Commons and Orinda’s 4th of July parade.
They also attended individual and group workshops, learning from experienced coaches and performers. The focus, according to Lamorinda Idol co-chair Steve Harwood, was strengthening vocal technique, stage presence and emotional expression.
“Most of the participants in Lamorinda Idol have already had many years of coaching, so what we witness in the program is very good performers taking their talent to the next level,” Harwood said. “That was evident at the Lafayette Plaza performance, where every singer was very effective.”
At finals, contestants will each perform an approximately three-minute song of their choosing. To make it more interesting, contestants receive immediate feedback from a panel of three judges. Winners are determined through a combination of judges’ scores and audience voting.
“There is always high excitement around the finals,” Harwood said. “The setting is big time, with professional lighting, sound and video in the historic Orinda Theatre, with much of the 750-seat theater filled with supportive fans.”
Last year’s 9th to 12th grade soloist winner, Margaret Meckes, remembers the finals fondly.
“Performing at the finals is amazing,” she said. “I love the lights, the sound of my voice echoing in the theater, nervously talking to all the contestants beforehand. Finals build so much confidence, and getting constructive feedback from the judges is amazing.”
She encourages this year’s finalists to give it their all.
“Don’t be afraid to make a bold move with your voice or your body, often that’s what can set you apart from others,” Meckes said. “Not only that, but have fun and soak it all in because there are few times you get to be in the spotlight like that.”
Finals will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 16. Elementary soloists perform from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by K-12 groups from 1:30-3 p.m., with Solo 6-8 from 3:45-5:30 p.m., and concluded with Solo 9-12 from 6-8 p.m.
The winning soloists of grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 win $200, $300, $400 and $500, respectively. Additionally, the winning K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 groups win $200, $300 and $400, respectively.
Lastly, the Audience Award, which is given to the participant who receives the highest share of audience vote (adjusted for category size and number of total category votes) who is not a category winner, is $300.
For those unable to attend, videos of each performance at the finals will be posted to YouTube as “unlisted” and linked to the Lamorinda Arts Council website Idol page.
“It’s a wonderful event,” Harwood said.
Miranda Klein took the stage in the six to eight solo category of this year’s Lamorinda Idol competition. The Finals will be Aug. 16 at the Orinda Theatre, when winners will be selected through a combination of judges’ scores and audience voting.
