Sarasota Orchestra on the hunt for student "National Anthem" vocalist

With local "American Idol" alum Syesha Mercado headlining the Sarasota Orchestra's Outdoor Pops concert at Ed Smith Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, the orchestra thought they follow in Mercado's singing competition footsteps and hold their own singing competiton.

A first for the orchestra, their "Anthem Idol" competiton is an open singing competiton to students residing in the Sarasota and Bradenton area between the ages of 12 and 20-years-old. The only stipulation is that contestants entering the contest be amatuer singers, which means potential contestants with contracts or any professional affiliation will be disqualified.

Students and singers wishing to make their public performance debut can enter for free at the Saraosta Orchestra's website (www.sarasotaorchestra.org) by uploading a video or submit a link to their performance of the National Anthem. The deadline for video entries is tonight March 9 at midnight. After the deadline and all the videos have been submitted, two musicians from the orchestra and one staff member will review the pool of contestants. The panel will narrow it down to a pool of finalist who will be required to audition again in person on Wednesday, April 8 for a seperate three-person panel of judges. 

The talented and lucky winner of the competition will not only receive a chance to perform for approximately 3,000 spectators at Ed Smith Stadium, but also will receive from the orchestra a free vocal coaching lesson, a $250 honorarium and a meet-and-greet with Syesha Mercado. 

The Outdoor Pops concert itself will be lead by resident pops conductor Andrew Lane and will perform popular favorites by Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and from America's marching master John Philip Sousa. During Mercado's portion of the evening, the "American Idol" finalist and Booker High School alumna will perform an eclectic mix of music including "Fever," "Skyfall," "At Last," "One Rock and Roll Too Many" and "Listen" from the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls." 

Tickets are on sale now at through the Baltimore Orioles website with $5 for students and $15 and up for adults.