Deer Park Center hosts singing contest

Deer Park Town Center is soliciting local contestants for a national vocal talent competition called “Sing!” in which 12 semifinalists will perform live at the shopping center either Sept. 17 or 24.

The winners will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a singing, songwriting and recording session with two-time Emmy award winner Kevin Briody, as well as $5,000 in MasterCard gift cards to split among the group and a $20,000 donation to the charity of the winning group’s choice.

Through May 31, groups of 3 to 25 performers can complete an online entry form and upload an original audio performance of a song from an approved song list to the Deer Park Town Center “Sing!” website at deerparktowncenter.2011sing.com.

Ten groups will be selected via an online vote and Deer Park Town Center will identify two alternates to get to a total of 12 semifinalists.

The semifinalists will perform live at the Town Center on Sept. 17 and 24.

All groups must have one leader or director, and all participants under the age of 18 are required to provide written authorization from a parent or guardian.

Participants must be residents of Illinois and may not currently be entered into a performance contract or recording agreement.

The pool of 12 semifinalists will be narrowed to three by a panel of local judges and audience text voting. Another round of online voting will follow to identify one finalist group to represent Deer Park Town Center and compete against 10 other groups from across the country and Puerto Rico.

A final online and text vote will determine the grand-prize-winning group, to be announced Nov. 1.

For more information or to view the complete contest rules, visit 2011Sing.com or contact Deer Park Town Center Marketing Director Konda Dees at kdees@ddr.com or (847) 726-7755.