The Ayr Idol competition, proudly sponsored by the Beckett School, will be open to youth ages 12-18. The competition is open to any music genre and may be accompanied by their instrument of choice or a recorded sound track.  If you would like to apply for Ayr Idol download the Ayr Idol Application here.

Each participant must provide to the judges 3 copies of the song being performed or the lyrics (if music is not available.)

Five finalists will be selected to perform the following Saturday at the Festival on the Dasani Main Stage.  After a brief adjudication of each performance, the Ayr Idol winner will be announced.

Please read the biographies below to learn more about this year's judges. Their mandate as judges is to give positive feedback and constructive criticism in order to encourage our young performers. Each participant will receive a certificate. There will be a cash prize of $200.00 awarded to the new Ayr Idol. The winner will also receive an hour-long recording session offered by the Walters Family of Bright Ontario.

Preliminaries will be held June 13th, 2009 at Calvary Church

Rules for the Ayr Idol vocal competition

• Open to ages 12-18 as of June 13, 2009
• One song is to be performed for the preliminary round - must be memorized
• 3 copies of music or lyrics to be provided to the adjudicators
• Contestant must provide own accompanist, or accompany themselves. *note a piano and organ will be made available at the church for preliminaries
• CD music accompaniment is permitted
• Microphones will not be used in the preliminary competition
• Each contestant will receive adjudication after all contestants have completed their performances.
• No marks will be assigned.
• 5 contestants will be selected to compete in the finals June 20th at the Fresh Ayr Festival. Three runners-up will be chosen and may perform at the festival. A different song must be performed that day and memorized.
• Usage of a microphone may be required the day of the Festival
• A keyboard will be available on stage
• The judges will conduct a brief adjudication of all performances and then announce the First-place winner - Ayr Idol!
• All songs must be age appropriate and suitable for family listening
• The preliminary competition will be held on June 13th, 2009 at the Calvary Church.  Email info@freshayrfestival.com for more info.

Our Host

“FLETCH”

 In the course of a diverse 20-year career in all aspects of DJing, music production and radio hosting, George Fletcher aka “Fletch” has proven to be a skilled entertainer, visionary music director and an adroit motivator for thousands. Fletch is a multi-talented artist who has wowed club goers across the country and gained the respect of his peers with his diverse, but distinctive, blend of popular music. Stemming from his classical upbringing, his musical tastes range from Mozart to Metallica and Mos Def and through incredible skills and his intense work ethic, Fletch has risen from humble beginnings to become a recognized name Nationwide.  

In 1996, Fletch joined the team at Chum Group Radio Ottawa.  Starting as a soundboard operator, he quickly climbed the ranks to host/produce a syndicated music program.  In addition to his presence on the FM dial, Fletch could be heard regularly on News Talk Radio 580 CFRA hosting his own talk-show and seen on Rogers Cable as the entertainment reporter for “Daytime”.  Beyond the walls of the clubs, radio and television stations, Fletch acted as a motivational speaker to teens, volunteered at an Ottawa Youth Center and taught Audio Engineering in Montreal.  It was this connection between teaching and working with teens that encouraged him to supplement his formal qualifications by completing a Masters degree in Education.  Without leaving his passion for radio behind, Fletch joined the team at 91.5 The Beat for their launch in ’04 while securing employment with the Waterloo Region District School Board.  For the ’08-’09 school year, he could be seen teaching History and Politics at Eastwood Collegiate by day, Literacy at Cameron Heights by night, heard as the “Weekend Morning Guy” on The Beat and playing at various clubs in KW, Brantford, Guelph, Ottawa and Montreal.

With talents across the entertainment and educational spectrum, Fletch is probably best known for his people skills.  While some try to pigeonhole him, Fletch’s “true calling” remains indefinable. He has the rare ability to refreshingly combine his passion for music, politics and personalities with his own unique flavour.   Be sure not to forget his name as he promises BIGGER and BETTER things for the future!

Our Judges

Stacey Lee

Stacey Lee grew up in Fenwick, On, and began singing before she could talk. Since a love of music runs deep in her family, it is only natural that her life has been grounded in the music business.

In 1997 Stacey Lee entered her first and only singing competition, the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest in Simcoe, Ontario, where she took first prize in the Female Open category. From there she began working for various recording studios, publishing companies and songwriters, singing everything from commercial jingles to song demos to background and solo vocals. Stacey Lee is a featured performer on numerous albums by artists including Ken Munshaw, Jason McCoy, John Landry, Lace, Diane Chase, Michelle Wright, and Jamie Warren, to name just a few.

In January 2000, Stacey was added to the roster of Canadian New Country sensation, Lace. Along with fellow members Beverley Mahood and Giselle, Stacey Lee has had the opportunity to tour all across Canada, the U.S. and into Europe, performing as a part of the George Strait Country Music Festival, the Calgary Stampede and many other North American music festivals. Stacey can be seen on CMT in videos and specials with Lace, as well as with John Landry, singing their duet “My Heart Says Yes (But The Hurt Says No)”. Her voice can be heard all across the country on radio, stage and television.

Along with performing and spending time with her husband and fellow musician, she is thrilled to be engulfed in her newest project…becoming a mother to a beautiful baby girl.

Kathryn Robertson

Kathryn began singing lessons at the age of six. From then her life has been filled with music.  She has competed in festivals and had her students compete in them.  She has taken RCM exams and prepared students for them.  She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in vocal performance and this year will have a former student graduating with the same degree from Wilfrid Laurier.  She teaches full time instrumental music with the Waterloo Regional District School Board (WRDSB), conducts two school bands and a choir as well as teaching a few private students in her home. Kathryn participates in the Glen Morris church choir and after 20 plus years continues to make beautiful music with the group Distinction.

Martin Lacoste

Martin Lacoste is currently the Head of Music at Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo, where he directs two bands as well as A Shade of Blue, Bluevale's Jazz Choir, and also accompanies the Chamber Choir.  He has served as musical director (orchestral and vocal) for 3 musicals, most recently for Eastwood Collegiate's production of Guys and Dolls in 2008.  A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, he has had the privilege of directing over 30 ensembles throughout his career in both the education system and the local community, and is honoured to be taking part in this year's Ayr Idol.