Long Island's Got Talent is a competition for 10-to-17-year-old vocalists in Nassau or Suffolk County. It is sponsored by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) Youth Corps, established in 1998. This student volunteer group provides many activities and community service projects for kids in grades 6 to 12. Long Island's Got Talent competition is divided into two categories: Non-professional vocal performances, and music instruments only. Those interested in competing need to send an audition DVD no more than two minutes long. If contacted, they will perform in front of judges at the Education & Cultural Center in Stony Brook Village Center and have the possibility of continuing to the semifinals and finals. The first-place winner is offered a scholarship and a cash prize.
The Huntington Arts Council holds an annual competition called Got Talent? Long Island. This is an all-ages talent contest for amateur and professional performance artists, including vocalists. Among the awards offered are two Rising Star Awards aimed at kids. One is for kids under the age of 13 and the other is for those 14 and up. All entrants must go through an audition either in person, at the Huntington Center for the Performing Arts, or by mailing a DVD to the Huntington Arts Council. If chosen, they will compete for cash awards.
The Columbia County Fair has an annual competition called Columbia County's Got Talent. This general talent competition has two divisions, both of which include kids. The junior division is for anyone 12 and under, while the senior division is for contestants 13 and older. Vocalists are divided into two categories: Individual voice and ensemble voice. All contestants must be amateurs and are judged on both audience appeal and artistic merit. Winners in each division receive trophies and have the opportunity to compete in the state fair in Syracuse.
The Sorrento Cheese Italian Heritage Festival is an annual event in the Little Italy neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. Numerous events are held during the festival, including a bocce tournament and a beauty contest. In addition, there is the Italian Idol Contest, which is set up much like "American Idol," to find outstanding vocalists in the neighborhood. The minimum age for the competition is 13, which gives kids ample opportunity to compete. To apply, a two- or three-minute CD needs to be sent to the festival chair. Out of these, chosen applicants will compete in front of judges.