FRACKVILLE — Two Girardville sisters teamed up to compete as quarterfinalists Tuesday in this year’s Schuylkill County Junior Idol VIII.
Paige and Kirsten Heiser, 13 and 12, respectively, were among the 10 contestants vying for the title during the quarterfinals held center court at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville.
“We help each other when we’re practicing,” Paige said during intermission, after she sang her first selection, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton John. “I like the ‘oldies’ from the ’70s and ’80s,” Paige said.
Meanwhile, Kirsten, who sang Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” said she liked the song and it’s one her older sister had sang before during memorial services.
“It’s really helpful when the judges tell you things,” Kirsten said after her judges’ critique.
Each contestant sang two songs. Vocalists were able to select a song of their choice for their first performance, and then the second portion of the program was called, “Jazz it Up,” where contestants had to sing a jazz song.
The eight other quarterfinalists were: Ariel Stanalonis, 14, of Frackville; Carmyn Carduff, 15, of Shenandoah; Emilee Slotcavage, 9, of Ashland; Jacqueline Bubnis, 13, of Shenandoah; Jordan Shoffler, 15, of Shenandoah; Raven Wesley, 14, of New Ringgold; Sierra Rose, 15, of Saint Clair; and Sydney Stokes, 13, of Ashland.
Maudie Becker, Mark Mahal and Julia Medina served as judges, scoring contestants in four categories: stage presence, technical ability, showmanship and overall performance.
Elaine Maneval, mall manager, welcomed the audience to the program and introduced each contestant and the judges. Dan Helfer, of DJ Dan Productions, served as disc jockey.
Paige Heiser, who sings in North Schuylkill’s chorus, said she has performed the National Anthem at sporting events and has sung at memorial services in Girardville and Ashland. This was the first time both sisters were competing as Idol contestants. Their father, Barry Heiser, and grandmother, Kelly Gallagher, Fountain Springs, along with their siblings, Madison and Evan Heiser, came to cheer on the pair.
When Medina offered her critique to Paige, she said, “Your middle and lower range are really nice. You did a good job with the song. ... I would like to hear your particular style in other songs.”
For Jacqueline Bubnis’s second attempt at the Schuylkill County Junior Idol title, she selected “Stay” by Sugarland as her first song; and “Fever” by Peggy Lee as her second.
“I had a great time last year, and I wanted to do it again,” said Bubnis, a daughter of Pam and John Bubnis.
“ ‘Stay’ was one of the first songs I ever really sang and it’s one of my favorites,” she said. “I also love Peggy Lee.”
Bubnis, 13, of Shenandoah, has taken vocal lessons from Kim Russell Seibert for about five years.
“I’ve just been having fun with it and I focus on the music when I’m up there,” Bubnis said. “I try not to look directly at anyone in the audience, just above their heads.”
Becker told Bubnis, “I’m not a fan of country, but that song was absolutely beautiful,” after she sang “Stay.”
Another quarter-finalist, Sydney Stokes, 13, of Ashland, said she’s been taking everything in. “I listen when they (judges) critique me and try to put their suggestions into my next performance,” she said. “I watch what other people do, too, and tonight I tried not to touch the mic stand too much.”
Stokes, who’s competed in the Idol competition twice before, said she selected Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” for her first song. “It’s a really strong song for my voice, and I just love her music.”
Six vocalists from Tuesday’s performance will advance to the third round of competition. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. today on the mall’s website at www.shopschuylkillmall.com. The contest, sponsored by Pepsi, the Frackville Rotary, Totally Twisted Pretzel and Rebekah’s Creations, continues every Tuesday until a single winner is selected Feb. 9.