Ayr Idol



__

The Ayr Idol competition, proudly sponsored by the Beckett School and the Walters Family, will be open to youth ages 12-18. The competition is open to any music genre and contestants 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 and Waiver below.

The preliminary competition will be held Saturday June 11 at the Calvary Church, 173 Northumberland St. in Ayr.  Registration is open at 8:30am. The competition begins at 10am. This event is open to the public and we encourage you to invite your family and friends to cheer you on!

Each participant must provide a copy of the song to be performed to each of the 3 judges (or the lyrics if music is not available). This will be collected from the contestants at the time of registration.

Five finalists will be selected to perform the following Saturday at the Festival on the Main Stage. There will be no adjudication of these performances. After the judges take time to confer, 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 a 4 hour-long recording session offered by the Walters Family recording studio in Bright, Ontario.

Download Application Form HERE
Download Waiver Form HERE

__

Our Judges:

Martin Lacoste

Martin is currently in 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 for 5 musicals, most recently for the Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s production of Princess Ida in 2011, and JM Drama’s production of Cabaret in 2010. 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 local community, and is honoured to be taking part in this year’s Ayr Idol.


Carissa MacKendrick

Carissa is a 4th year student studying to receive her Honors Bachelor of Music in Vocal Studies and Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. The love of music came at an early age performing in church cantatas and children’s choirs. After highschool, she was part of a touring band and dance team that traveled all over Eastern Canada and the United States performing in highschools, churches and local venues. She performed in places like P.E.I, and Northern Quebec to LA, Miami and everywhere in between. Through her experiences, Carissa has had the opportunity to perform in many different styles including Classical, Opera, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, and Broadway, her favourites being Gospel, Jazz and Broadway. She currently studies Opera and Classical with Lynda Mieske at Wilfrid Laurier. In the past 2 years Carissa has had the opportunity to perform solo works with the Wilfrid Laurier Concert Choir and the Wilfrid Laurier Wind Orchestra. She looks forward to completing her Undergraduate degree and moving on to teacher’s college for elementary school studies.

Holly Currie

Holly Currie is a Music teacher at Glenview Park Secondary School where she conducts Glenview’s Jazz Band, and Concert Choir.  As a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier’s Arts’ Program, Holly moved on to earn a Bachelor of Education from The University of Western Ontario with intermediate/senior teaching qualifications in English and Music.  As a recent graduate, Holly spent her high school and university career performing in numerous groups and ensembles, and acted as the organist for Christ Church for four years.  She is looking forward to bringing her experience as a performer, educator, and member of the community to this year’s Ayr Idol.

Rules for the Ayr Idol vocal competition – preliminaries on June 11th.

  • Open to ages 12-18 as of June 11, 2011
  • 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
  • signed waiver to accompany application
  • Contestant must provide own accompanist, or accompany themselves unless they choose to sing acapella. *Note a piano and organ will be made available at the church for preliminaries
  • CD music accompaniment is permitted – no vocals
  • 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 18th at the Fresh Ayr Festival.


Rules on June 18th

  • 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
  • There is no adjudication of performances at the finals.
  • The judges will confer following the performances and will then announce the First-place winner – Ayr Idol!
  • All songs must be age appropriate and suitable for family listening
  • Email info@freshayrfestival.com for more info.