UAB student one of 30 chosen from hundreds for national voice contest

By Shannon Thomason A Florence, Alabama, student is a national semifinalist in The American Pops Orchestra “NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow” competition. Jalen Kirkman is among 30 singers chosen for the competition from hundreds of auditioners. He is a University of Alabama at Birmingham junior, pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre. He is on track to graduate in spring 2025. NextGen gives collegiate vocalists the opportunity to learn from industry professionals while competing for a chance to win scholarship money and paid performance opportunities with the American Pops Orchestra in New York. The APO brings American popular music to audiences and builds community by preserving, promoting and reimagining it. The APO presents live and virtual performances, educational initiatives, and collaborations to make the highest-quality art accessible to the broadest audiences. The orchestra often performs with such artists as Kristin Chenoweth from “Wicked,” and each year they host this vocal competition for young adults. Kirkman heard about the competition and entered in late November. Competitors participate in NextGen completely free of charge. Applicants must submit a self-taped performance of a song strictly from before the...