92. Singing Competition (1)

Teresa was 25 years old and trying to get a record deal. She wanted to sing pop songs and have her name known all over the world. She had a great vocal range. In fact, she can even sing opera. 

Making it in the music industry was tough. It took a lot of good luck and connections to get a record deal. One time, Teresa came close to signing a deal, but it fell through when her manager passed away.

Teresa saw an advertisement for a singing competition on TV. It was called The Next Superstar. The show was going to be on a major network, so millions would be watching. 

Teresa first had to sing in front of the three judges in Los Angeles. She bought a plane ticket immediately. She always wanted to go to Los Angeles since there wasn't really anything to do in Maine.

Teresa arrived in Los Angeles and met the three judges. They sat at a long rectangular table. The judge on the left end of the table was a famous rock singer of a band. 

The judge in the middle was the CEO of Harness Music Records. The judge on the right end of the table was a vocal coach to many famous singers. Teresa was a little nervous.

Vocabulary

1. Record deal – a contract with a music company to produce and sell music
   Example: Teresa was trying to get a record deal.

2. Pop songs – popular music songs that many people like
   Example: She wanted to sing pop songs.

3. Vocal range – the range of notes a person can sing
   Example: Teresa has a great vocal range.

4. Opera – a style of singing that uses powerful, classical voices
   Example: She can even sing opera.

5. Music industry – the business of producing and selling music
   Example: Making it in the music industry was tough.

6. Good luck – success that happens by chance
   Example: It took a lot of good luck to get a record deal.

7. Connections – people you know who can help you
   Example: Teresa needed connections in the music industry.

8. Signed a deal – made an official agreement
   Example: Teresa almost signed a deal before her manager passed away.

9. Manager – a person who helps take care of an artist’s career
   Example: Her manager passed away.

10. Advertisement – a message that tells people about a product or event
    Example: Teresa saw an advertisement for a singing competition.

11. Competition – a contest where people try to win
    Example: The Next Superstar is a singing competition.

12. Major network – a large TV company that broadcasts to many people
    Example: The show was on a major network.

13. Plane ticket – a ticket to fly on an airplane
    Example: Teresa bought a plane ticket immediately.

14. Rectangular – a shape with four sides and four right angles
    Example: The judges sat at a long rectangular table.

15. Rock singer – a singer who performs rock music
    Example: One judge was a famous rock singer.

16. Band – a group of musicians who play together
    Example: The judge was from a popular band.

17. CEO – the leader of a company (Chief Executive Officer)
    Example: The judge in the middle was the CEO of a music company.

18. Harness Music Records – the name of the music company
    Example: The CEO was from Harness Music Records.

19. Vocal coach – a person who teaches singers how to improve their voice
    Example: The judge on the right was a vocal coach.

20. Nervous – feeling worried or anxious
    Example: Teresa was a little nervous before the audition.