Who can compete: All kids from toddlers through college age are eligible to compete in this music contest with the exception of those who are signed to a recording contract. Contestants may compete as individuals or small groups (up to 4). Contestants can sing without accompaniment, sing and accompany themselves with a musical instrument, or perform as an instrumentalist on the instrument of their choice. Kids can choose whether they want to compete in the division that corresponds with their age for cash and a trophy, or in the open division for the Grand Prize, cash and a trophy.
Schedule: The HOA Talent Contest will consist of 5 Semi Final nights, culminating in the Finals The schedule will be as follows: Biweekly Semi Finals will be on Saturday at 2:00 PM on Feb 27th, 2010, Mar 13th, 2010, Mar 27th, 2010, and then continue on Sunday at 2:00 PM on April 11th, 2010, and April 25th, 2010. The Finals will be on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Contestants will choose to perform in one of 3 categories in this competition, i.e., "12 & Under Division", "13 thru College Division", or the "Open Division". 1st and 2nd place winners from the "12 & Under Division" and the "13 thru College Division" from each of the 6 Semi Final nights will go on to compete in the Finals. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each of the 6 Semi Finals nights in the "Open Division" will go on to compete in the Finals. Once again the Finals will be on May 8th, 2010 where a total of 35 kids will be competing for Cash and Prizes, 10 kids in the “12 & Under Division”, 10 kids in the “13 thru College Division”, and 15 kids in the “Open Division”.
Performance order/material: The order of performance will be determined by random selection. All material/lyrics must be in good taste. At the discretion of the HOA Talent Showcase a contestant may be asked to perform a different selection.
Accompaniment: Performers may use our Yamaha Piano, Acoustic Guitar Amp and Microphones, or they can provide the sound person with Accompaniment Tracks. The tracks may include backgrounds vocals, however the lead vocal cannot be present in anyway. The Accompaniment Track CD must contain only the song they are performing that night and given to the sound person upon arrival. Contestants may also have a non competing person accompany them instrumentally.
Time limit: Performances are limited to 4 minutes with the clock beginning once the Emcee announces the performer.
Entry Fee: There is a $25 entry fee to compete in the HOA Talent Contest biweekly semifinals. All contestants must go to www.hoatalentshowcase.com, click on the “Sign up” page and fill out the entire form along with the credit/debit card information and check the box reflecting $25 entry fee at least two weeks prior to the date they wish to compete. There will be a reduced $15 entry fee for any contestants who aren’t chosen for the finals but wish to compete in the subsequent biweekly semifinals. Those who wish to compete again must go to our website’s “Sign up” page and once again fill out the entire form along with the credit/debit card information and check the box reflecting $15 re-entry fee at least one week prior to the date they wish to compete. Kids may also sign up in person at any “Center for God, Family and Country” event. The night of the finals all contestant entry fees are waived in lieu of the accomplishment of making it to the finals. There is no limit to the number of times a contestant can compete in the biweekly semi finals, but once they have become a finalist they can no longer compete in the biweekly semi finals but instead must wait until they compete in the finals. All finalists are encouraged to come out to the biweekly semi finals to not only see the competition but also to support the other contestants.
Cancellations and Reschedules: There are no refunds upon cancellation by a contestant, however if contestant requests rescheduling of a performance date an additional $10 rescheduling fee will apply. The rescheduling fee must be submitted to the HOA Talent Showcase online on the “Sign up” page by once again filling out the entire form along with the credit/debit card information and check the box reflecting $10 rescheduling fee. Any rescheduling must be submitted online at least one week prior to the new date requested.
Winners: All winners will be given the opportunity to be booked and perform at the Friday night “Dinner Theater” during the dinner hour and at intermission where they will be recognized for their accomplishments. All past winners can compete at anytime in future HOA Talent Contests with the exception of Grand Prize Winners who must wait 12 months in order to give other kids the opportunity to win.
Judging: Performances will be awarded 0-10 points in each of the following categories: (1) quality of performance (2) originality (3) stage presence (4) audience applause. In the case of a tie, the first tie breaker will be the highest number of points in the “quality of performance” category. In the event there is still a tie, the second tie breaker will be the highest number of points in the “originality” category. It’s important for all contestants to understand these 4 categories. Contestants will be judged on how good their performance is, how original their performance is either by the fact they have written their own material or put their own unique twist on cover material, how well they manage themselves on stage with movements and relating to the audience, and by audience applause or response thereby making it important for contestant to bring out a strong support group.
Good Character: Contestants may be disqualified immediately at any level of the competition if they (or any member of their act) commits any act or becomes involved in any situation that would adversely affect the HOA Talent Contest or any of its affiliates.
Check in: All contestants must arrive no later than one hour prior to their performance time for orientation and sound check.
Admission: Contestants pay no admission in lieu of their entry fee on the night they are competing. Admission for all adults, including kids who have competed but are not competing that night is $10.00. Children 5 and under are Free. Ticket packages to the entire series of 6 semifinals and 1 final are offered at a 20% discount in order to encourage support for all the kids involved, i.e., package of 2 tickets for the 7 contests would be $112.00 (savings of $28.00), package of 4 tickets for the 7 contests would be $224.00 (savings of $56.00), package of 8 tickets for the 7 contests would be $448.00 (savings of $112.00). All admission tickets will be paid for at the venue, cash or credit card, no checks.
Contest Rules
