Sing! Competition in Deer Park

A talented group of students will be among the 18 area semi-finalists competing in Saturday’s Sing! vocal competition at the Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park.

The event is tied to a national competition for singing ensembles and soloists, sponsored by Developers Diversified Realty (DDR). Live performances will be held at 13 DDR shopping centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The top three finalists from each event will go on to compete for the grand prize. The national winners will be determined by online votes of their video-taped performances.

“Arts and education have always been a top corporate objective and the impact music has on both the arts and education makes Sing! a natural fit for our company,” said Dawn Marie Lecklikner, regional vice president of shopping center marketing for DDR.

“Sing! brings a positive and empowering experience to our communities, gives back to a deserving non-profit and who knows, may provide a ‘big break’ to a talented undiscovered group,” she said.

The national group winner will receive $20,000 for the charity of their choice, $5,000 in DDR Mastercard gift cards, and an exciting opportunity to record a song with Emmy Award-winning singer/songwriter Kevin Briody. The national solo winner will receive $5,000 for their charity, $2,500 worth of gift cards and that once-in-a-lifetime recording session.

“We’re nervous, of course, but we’re ready to perform,” said Lake Zurich High School senior Hayley Barron, a member of the a capella ensemble Bare Voices, which performs shows throughout Lake Zurich, Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods and Kildeer.

The 18-member ensemble is best known for their holiday performances and just participated in a special concert in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

If they go on to win the national grand prize, Barron said, the group will donate its $20,000 charity prize to the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, which gives educational scholarships to students who lost parents on Sept. 11, 2001.

Bare Voices will perform three songs at Saturday’s Deer Park event, including their original audition song, Build Me Up Buttercup, When She Loves Me from Toy Story 2 and Just Like That by Kevin Briody.

Each semi-finalist is required to perform three songs, including one Briody song. Bare Voices director Nick Juknelis, of Lake Zurich High School, said this was a challenge because no backing music is allowed.

“They gave us the lyric sheet, but no music. We had to create the song,” he said.

After purchasing the song on iTunes, Bare Voices got a feel for the rhythm of the song, interpreting the music with only their voices.

“We’ve been practicing since the school year began, and had a camp in mid-August,” said Juknelis. “I feel like we’re ready. I’m really pleased with the work that we have done.”

Bare Voices entered the national contest in April after learning about it through television and newspaper ads, and word of mouth. Groups and soloists entered the contest online, submitting audio clips that people could vote on.

Semi-finalists from across the country and in Puerto Rico will compete this month at their local DDR shopping centers.

Deer Park’s performances will be held noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24 at the Deer Park Town Center located at 20530 N. Rand Road.

Regina Verdico, marketing director for the Deer Park Town Center, said the event will take place under a covered stage near the gazebo area outside Brighton Collectibles and Brooks Brothers. Deer Park will be distributing 50 goodie bags filled with coupons and store items. Additionally, Kernel Fabyan’s will pass out samples of their gourmet popcorn.

Because the contestants reside from Lake Zurich to Naperville, said Verdico, “We expect a good turnout of spectators to support the groups and soloists.”

Performing Saturday, Sept. 17:

• Buffalo Grove - Encore!; The Five Stars
• Chicago - Janey Age
• Lake Zurich - Bare Voices; Sarah, Bianca, Taylor; Taylor Welborn
• Naperville - Yaevin Lee
• Pingree Grove - Alexis Nguyen
• Wauconda - Powerhouse; Heather Moran

Performing Saturday, Sept. 24:

• Buffalo Grove - Donna Galloway
• Chicago - Martin Hughes
• Hoffman Estates - Do-Wop Crop,
• Long Grove - Kate Diaz
• Oak Lawn - Canticum Choir 
• Palatine - Erin Fisher; Midnight Blues
• St. Charles - Jamie Ann Dowat

In addition, Kevin Briody will appear Sept. 17 and Deer Park’s Center for Ballroom Dance will perform on both dates.

For more information, visit www.deerparktowncenter.2011sing.com or www.2011sing.com.