Vocal Sensation tonight

March 2, 2012

The ten contestants of Vocal Sensation 2012. Lauren Knight. Kent Count Daily Times.

WEST WARWICK – Ten of West Warwick High’s best vocalists are gearing up to either belt it out or bite the dust for tonight’s fifth annual singing contest.

The competition is known to draw a full-house, as the ten contestants battle it out for the vied title of this year’s “Vocal Sensationalist.” Although many may recall this contest has been formerly known as West Warwick Idol, it now goes by the name Vocal Sensation.

The “Idol” theme was dropped after Metro Narcisi, the West Warwick High School band director, was threatened with a lawsuit. The show was nicknamed West Warwick Idol five years ago when Narcisi thought it would be fun to host a school-wide vocal competition. Due to the popularity of American Idol, the name came naturally.

The contest began to gain momentum and before they knew it, a West Warwick Idol Facebook page was created and had over 32,000 “hits.” According to Narcisi, last year’s West Warwick Idol was so packed that they unfortunately had to “turn people away.”

Roughly two years ago, one of West Warwick’s former winners made it on American Idol’s road show, and during an interview, mentioned how excited he was to return home and host West Warwick Idol.

“They said, ‘West Warwick Idol, what’s that?’ But it never made it on TV,” said Narcisi.

The school continued on with the fourth annual Idol competition, never knowing that one of American Idol’s affiliates was pursuing the mysterious West Warwick Idol.

The full story can be found in today's Times.

Vocal Sensation will be held tonight, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the West Warwick High School auditorium, 2 Webster Knight Drive. The doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased for $8 for adults and $6 for students and children.

The competition is hosted through Tri-M Honor Society and proceeds will be donated towards student music scholarships