You Could Be The Next Waltham Idol

WALTHAM, MA — Do you have what it takes to be the city's next Waltham Idol? Each year for the past five years the Waltham Boys & Girls Club sponsors a music talent competition modeled after American Idol (but without the angry one). Get ready, folks. The season to audition is officially staring on Jan. 26 and 27.

Any Waltham student between the ages of 10 and 18 is invited to come perform a solo audition. Those who hope to make the cut just need to prepare one verse and chorus to a song of your own choosing. The song choices are to be sung without musical accompaniment.

In 2016, more than 25 teens showed up to the first audition in front of a panel of three judges. The competition works a lot like you may have seen on American Idol. Young people between the ages of 10 and 18 come in, and sing a verse and chorus with no accompanying music in front of the judges and a camera. About half moved on to round 2. And then there's the final round in front of a live audience.

Participants are scored by a panel of 4 judges, with 20 percent of the score coming from an audience vote.

"As you can see, the stakes in each round are raised to reflect the level of professionalism that youth are
bringing to the table. This is a program that supports all different levels of experience, and encourages
youth to come back next year to do better," according to a Boys & Girls Club report from that year.

From Newswatch in 2015:

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