Singer selected for national competition

Frontiersman

When Roxanne Clark's father asked her to record a simple song on his recording equipment a few months ago, the 21-year-old never dreamed it would land her in Texas later this month in a national Christian music competition, but that's exactly what has happened.

Clark recorded the song at her father's urging, and recently, she was one of 320 singer from around the country selected to audition as part of the Exalting Him 2006 competition. The national winner receives a recording contract in the competition, which is akin to American Idol for Christian singers.

&#8220I kind of went into this totally blind. I had no idea,” Clark said. &#8220My dad said, ‘Hey, do you want to record this song?' I didn't know what he was going to do with it.”

On Aug. 25, Clark will be one of 35 singers to perform in Dallas, one of eight regional competitions. If she's selected as one of the finalists, she advances to stage three, which will be filmed for television. From those 20 finalists, she would then compete for the national recording contract.

Contestants are judged on a multitude of items, from stage presence to pitch and sound.

If she's not selected to advance beyond the second phase, however, she certainly won't be disappointed, she said.

&#8220This isn't my whole life. It wouldn't be the end of the world for me,” she said. &#8220In the end, I'm still just me. But it would be cool to win it.”

Music and faith have been intertwined throughout Clark's life. She attends Northwind Global Ministries, and said God has made a big impact in her life.

At Northwind Global Ministry School, Clark was part of a worship team, and, unlike the competition she is now signing in, she said teamwork was big.

&#8220That's what I really like doing, being a part of a worship team rather than being out there singing as a soloist,” she said.

At the root of the the Exalting Him 2006 competition which hails itself as the country's &#8220largest Christian talent search,” is faith.

&#8220Faith has always been a big part of my life. Without faith, I don't see a whole lot else to live for,” Clark said. &#8220Everything here, you can taste and touch and feel, but that's it. There has to be something more to live for.”

Music has always been an integral part of worship, and Clark said that's because of the spirituality behind the notes.

&#8220Music can grip you and move you in ways that we can't explain,” Clark said. &#8220When you get that feeling, it's a fascinating thing. There is expression beyond the words that you hear. It's like a touch and taste of heaven.”

Clark is also moved by helping others. In the future, she would like to become a midwife and work overseas for a time.

In 2004, her family went to Indonesia, where she was inspired by helping refugees.

&#8220They are the most generous people. We basically went to love on them and feed them. We met a woman with leprosy who had 11 children, the oldest was only 12,” Clark said. &#8220We bathed the children and gave them food. They are poor and don't have anything, but they'll throw a feast for you if you come. They taught us so much more than we gave to them.”