Lights seeks teen 'idol'

Think you're the next big thing the music world hasn't discovered yet? If you're between 13 and 17 years old, now's your chance to prove it.

The Lights of Liberty, the high-tech sound and light show on Independence Mall, is hosting a teen-idol search for the kid who can belt out the greatest "God Bless America." If you're selected you'll perform with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Pops on Independence concert in front of Independence Hall on July 3.

But don't procrastinate . . . you have only until Wednesday to register for an audition.

Much like the nationally known Fox TV series "American Idol," this contest has multiple judged rounds, beginning with the general audition June 23.

Twenty young people will move on to the semifinal round on June 30, then six singers will be chosen for the finals on the day of the performance.

That July 3 round is judged by two-time Grammy-winning pianist Nero, along with Jeffrey Kern, the Pops' choral director, and Jeffrey Smith, assistant conductor.

Of the six teens who make it to the finals, the judges will choose two - a winner and a runner-up - to rehearse with the orchestra before the evening performance. But only one will get to perform before the crowd that gathers for this annual concert event.

Nero said he and the two other judges use three criteria in choosing the best performers: how they would fare singing with an orchestra; their musicianship, and their ability to communicate.

Despite the contest's search for a teen idol, Nero said the essential quality that he looks for is the singer's capacity to move him.

"When they sing the song, do they believe - do they mean - 'God bless America?' Or do they mean 'look at how great I am?' The most important thing is that you bring the music to life."

Keisha Elmore, 15, with a voice that is "all natural," won last year's contest. Having tried out two years earlier when she was 13 and getting cut after the semifinal round because she wasn't "expressing" herself enough, Keisha said: "I was disappointed, but I just thought, 'Oh well, I'll do it next year.' I knew that it wasn't going to be all fun and games, but this is what I love to do. Last year I practiced and practiced and rehearsed and rehearsed in May until the competition."

And succeed she did. After the final round, Nero and the judges picked both Keisha and Zachary Heller, last year's runner-up, to rehearse with the orchestra.

The teen-idol winner usually sings on July 3 in front of Independence Hall and on July 4 at the Pops on the Parkway concert. But last year Nero said that Zachary and Keisha were both so good, they divided the concerts - Zachary sang on July 3 and Keisha on July 4.

"Me knowing that I had to do the Fourth of July, I was like, uh, can you tell me again?" Keisha said of her experience, adding, "[My mom and I] thought it was just a little contest. And then it was just so big.

"It was millions of people, and it was on live TV. It was just something that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Nero said there were actually about half a million people at the concert.

And this year the Pops won't be playing on July 4.

Instead, Hall and Oates will perform on the steps of the Art Museum. *

For more info about the Lights of Liberty's Teen Idol contest and to download a registration form, go to www.lightsofliberty.org.