USAG Stuttgart Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Army Entertainment is getting set to host another season of Operation Rising Star, a singing contest for Soldiers and military family members based on the American Idol format.
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation will host a local Operation Rising Star competition Oct. 18 from 6-9 p.m. and Oct. 19 from 3-6 p.m. at the Patch Community Club.
Operation Rising Star is open to active duty military, National Guard and Reserve personnel and their 18-and-older family members. Participants must complete and submit an application by Oct. 18 at noon. The application is located on the Family and MWR website here.
Vocalists must perform a song a cappella on the first night and then may choose a song with accompaniment on Oct. 19. A panel of judges and the audience will select the winners on the final day.
Prizes of $500, $250 and $100 will be awarded to the top three finishers, with the first place winner qualifying to compete for the grand prize, which includes an all expense paid trip for two to record a three-song CD and $1,000 in cash.
For more information on the competition, rules or to download the application, visit www.stuttgart.armymwr.com or call the Special Events Coordinator at 430-2110/civ. 0711-680-2110.
Cutline: Contestants perform during the 2012 Operation Rising Star Reveal Show last December in the Fort Sam Houston Theatre, home of Army Entertainment.
Photo credit: Tim Hipps
Rising Star Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
• Contestants must be active duty, National Guard or Reserve from any branch of service, or a family member of the aforementioned, 18 years or older (contestants must be 18 by Nov. 6, 2013) with valid military ID card.
• Military contestants may not have any adverse actions pending. Service members whose records are flagged or with UCMJ actions may not compete.
• Contestants must be in an amateur status and not perform professionally (i.e. have a current or previously managed recording career). Soldiers currently assigned as a vocalist to a military performance band are ineligible to participate. Contestants that have placed in the top 12 of previous Operation Rising Star Army-wide finals are not eligible to compete.
What does a contestant have to do in the competition?
• First round auditions will be a cappella and judged only by the three-judge panel. Judges can stop the performer at any point during the audition and decide whether the contestant will move on to the second round.
• For Round 2 through the finals, local Family and MWR programs will post all local rules for weekly music themes. Contestants should check with the participating location for details on music selection and availability of provided music. The admittance of backup singers on the accompaniment is a local decision and contestants should inquire with the local event coordinator (only permitted for Round 2 through the finals).
How long do my songs need to be?
Each performance will consist of one song between 1:30 and 4:30 minutes in length.
Can I perform a dance routine while I sing?
No special props, staging, or excessive choreography are required or allowed as part of this competition. The focus is on singing and vocal performances only.
How will I be judged?
• Round 1 – Judging based on a cappella performance. Only the 3-judge panel will vote to narrow the field of talent.
• Round 2 through semi-finals/finals – Judges and the audience determine who advances to the semi-finals/finals. Judges critique and score the performances. The audience votes by written ballot after all performances are completed and judges have made their critiques. Audience vote will count for 50 percent of the total score as to who advances forward. The judges’ votes will count towards 50 percent of the determination.
If I am not competing but want to vote how can I participate?
Attend the local competition and upon entering the facility on the night of the competition, each patron will receive one voting ballot. Additional ballots may be obtained with each purchase of an appetizer or a meal during the evening’s competition.
