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Fort Leonard Wood Operation Rising Star winner Sgt. Jon Whittle, a member of the 94th Engineer Battalion, is getting ready to audition for the 2012 U.S. Army Soldier Show, Feb. 18-25, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The U.S. Army Soldier Show is a live 90-minute musical performance presented by Soldiers for Soldiers. If selected, Whittle will rehearse and go on tour, performing for the next year.
Whittle, who was a semi-finalist in the 2011 Operation Rising Star competition, submitted his application for the Soldier Show last December and got the call in January notifying him that he had been selected to audition.
He will have four minutes to sing his choice of music.
“Part of the audition is four minutes to sing whatever I want,” Whittle said. “It was recommended that I not sing a cappella, and I do have to bring my own music. It can be two songs, it can be three songs, but I only have four minutes to do it.”
Whittle also believes that the week-long audition process is likely to include some focus on choreography and overall stage presence.
“I really don’t know how every aspect of the audition will work, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to go and find out,” he said.
Whittle stays positive about his chances and has received a lot of support from his unit, co-workers, friends and family.
Whittle saw the Soldier Show here in 2011 and said it was a great show and a good break for all of the Soldiers.
“You get to see a great performance and enjoy a great evening of entertainment,” he said. What makes it especially unique is that the performers are all Soldiers serving in the military, going through deployments and Army life just like everybody else. I’ve been to Afghanistan and different places. I’m a soldier first and now I’m able to do something that the Army has allowed me to do. A lot of us who are auditioning share the dream to be in music and the Army’s giving us that opportunity to get a foot in the door and get where we want to go.”
Fort Leonard Wood Operation Rising Star winner Sgt. Jon Whittle, a member of the 94th Engineer Battalion, is getting ready to audition for the 2012 U.S. Army Soldier Show, Feb. 18-25, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The U.S. Army Soldier Show is a live 90-minute musical performance presented by Soldiers for Soldiers. If selected, Whittle will rehearse and go on tour, performing for the next year.
Whittle, who was a semi-finalist in the 2011 Operation Rising Star competition, submitted his application for the Soldier Show last December and got the call in January notifying him that he had been selected to audition.
He will have four minutes to sing his choice of music.
“Part of the audition is four minutes to sing whatever I want,” Whittle said. “It was recommended that I not sing a cappella, and I do have to bring my own music. It can be two songs, it can be three songs, but I only have four minutes to do it.”
Whittle also believes that the week-long audition process is likely to include some focus on choreography and overall stage presence.
“I really don’t know how every aspect of the audition will work, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to go and find out,” he said.
Whittle stays positive about his chances and has received a lot of support from his unit, co-workers, friends and family.
Whittle saw the Soldier Show here in 2011 and said it was a great show and a good break for all of the Soldiers.
“You get to see a great performance and enjoy a great evening of entertainment,” he said. What makes it especially unique is that the performers are all Soldiers serving in the military, going through deployments and Army life just like everybody else. I’ve been to Afghanistan and different places. I’m a soldier first and now I’m able to do something that the Army has allowed me to do. A lot of us who are auditioning share the dream to be in music and the Army’s giving us that opportunity to get a foot in the door and get where we want to go.”
