Editor:

Calling all high school aspiring Beyonces and Justin Timberlakes. Here's looking at you, kid! Dust off those sonorous vocal chords and strut that captivating personality for East County Idol II.

The contest, sponsored by the Antioch Music Foundation, is made possible by generous grants from Sharon Beswick and the Beswick Family Foundation and Supervisor Federal Glover's office in conjunction with the Keller Canyon Foundation. The finals will be held at 3 p.m. on March 9 at the historic El Campanil Theatre. If the first event was any indication, with perfomers from nine high schools crooning everything from country and western to jazz, pop, rock, Tagalog and Spanish ballads, this will be another knockout show.

Competition is open to any youth currently in high school and residing in far East County, from Bay Point to Discovery Bay. First prize is $400; second, $200; and third, $100. The event will be televised, a memento CD will be cut and talent scouts invited. There will be a panel of five accomplished judges.

Last year's winner, Neshia Go, a resident of Antioch attending Carondolet High School, is an invited guest performer. Radio celebrity Kim Dooley will emcee. Auditions will be held in a private room between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 26 at Somersville Town Centre. One live musical accompaniment and/or backup CD is permissible. For rules, applications or ticket information, call 756-7628 or go to www.antiochmusic.org.

Special thanks to the organizing efforts of Antioch Music Foundation members Patty Chan, Rudy Fernandez, Malcolm Hunter, Romano Marchetti, Clarita Perez, Cynthia Ruehlig, Linda Thompson and Sharon Vela. The AMF donates money to enrich Antioch public school music programs and lends instruments to deserving kids. Contact us if you have a used instrument to donate - and hope to see you at the Idol.

Walter Ruehlig

President,

Antioch Music Foundation