Showcase
Competition more than idol gossip
They don’t worship idols in Ontario, but they do hold them in high regard—especially the ones who participate in the Kiwanis Idol singing competition sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Kanata, Ottawa. The growth in popularity of the event—like the commercial competitions after which it is modeled (American Idol; Canadian Idol)—has been allegro (music talk for “really fast”).
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Sarite Harris, the 2006 Kiwanis Idol, is flanked by Kiwanian Eldon Fox and 2005 Kiwanis Idol Gabrielle Giguère. |
“The first year, we had about 50 contestants try out, and about 75 the second year,” notes Kiwanian Eldon J. Fox. “This past year, there were 125 who auditioned. Next year we want to hold auditions in some of the schools, spread out over the course of the year, with finals conducted in our city hall. This will give even more kids a chance to try out.”
Eldon organized the first Kiwanis Idol competition in 2003, while serving as president of the Rideau, Ottawa, Ontario, Kiwanis club.
“American Idol and Canadian Idol had just started to get big on (North American) TV,” he recalls, “so I thought we could do this with Kiwanis, as most clubs here support Kiwanis music festivals. I believed this would be a great next step up from the festivals, and so did the young contestants—and their parents—who just loved the chance to showcase their vocal talents on stage and be judged by people in the music business.”
The Kanata club is the primary promoter of Kiwanis Idol, but a committee of members from area Kiwanis clubs—including the Rideau club—actually coordinates the event. In addition to ironing out logistics, the committee oversees the cultivating of corporate sponsors.
The Kiwanis Idol competition typically begins with auditions of young contestants—ages 13 to 19. Finalists—there were 10 selected in 2005 and 20 this past summer—perform in a showcase event on the stage at Festival Plaza at city hall.
A panel of judges from the music industry—voice teachers, radio and TV personalities, and Bruce Valeriari, owner of Blue Bear Sound, the competition’s prize sponsor—evaluates performances and determines who should be crowned Kiwanis Idol.
In addition to the title, the winner receives CAD$2,000 worth of studio time at Blue Bear Sound, with the chance to develop an Idol CD.
The Kiwanis Idol, though, is not the only one who benefits from the competition.
“The organizers and sponsors of this event,” Eldon explains, “share a commitment for making the dreams of youngsters a reality, for developing relationships that will lead to a vibrant community, and for working in cooperation to achieve our goal of promoting music and the arts.”
Finalists become local celebrities, singing anthems at Ottawa Senators hockey games, as well as junior hockey and Triple A baseball games; and making appearances at charity fundraisers, including TV telethons.
Kiwanis benefits too.
“This is one of the best promotions of Kiwanis I have seen in all the years I’ve been a member,” Eldon says. “In addition to providing judges and our emcee, the local television station promotes the Kiwanis Idol competition at least a half dozen times a day during the three months leading up to the competition. And all the local newspapers give us a lot of coverage with articles and photographs.”
Over time, Eldon believes, the community will see the mission shared by Kiwanis Idol and Kiwanis: “building brighter futures for young people.” |
