McDonald’s of Greater Atlanta is presenting its third annual “The Gift” Kids’ Gospel Music Talent Search this summer to showcase talented young people, ages 6-12, from throughout the 45-county Greater Atlanta area.
“The Gift” is patterned after the “American Idol” and “Apollo Kids” style of competition.
For information and registration forms, visit Atlanta-area McDonald’s, www.myspace.com/mcdonaldsthegift or McDonald’s V-103 micro-site at www.v-103.com.
The first 103 DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes or VHS tapes submitted by Aug. 3 will be chosen for consideration. Song selection must be gospel or inspirational, including but not limited to the classic, contemporary or hip-hop genre. The top 40 will compete live, a cappella, in front of a panel of judges (closed to the public and the news media).
The top 20 semi-finalists will enter a two-week “The Gift” Performers’ Enrichment Workshop, where they will be trained and evaluated, as well as receive tutorials in voice development, breathing techniques, stage presence, style/grooming and public speaking.
Half of the contestants will be eliminated through internal auditions during the workshop, which will be closed to the general public.
The top 10 will advance to “The Gift” Final Competition Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m., at Zoo Atlanta’s The Coca-Cola World Studios (free and open to the public and members of the media). The top 10 finalists will automatically receive $200 in cash and a $25 McDonald’s Arch Card.
The final competition will include performances by the 10 finalists and a mini-concert by Grammy-nominated recording artist and event emcee Canton Jones.
Grand prize is $10,000 ($5,000 into an education fund; $3,000 cash; $500 in McDonald’s Arch Cards and a $1,500, three-night family vacation at Lake Lanier Islands Resort); a performance in a McDonald’s “The Gift” radio, TV and Internet commercial and the cover of “Atlanta Parent” magazine.
