This year’s Wellesley Idol contest gets underway June 3, and organizers are looking to have contestants in place by May 29, the deadline for registration. The singing contest is open to young people, 10 to 18 years of age as of June 3, who live in or attend school in Wilmot, Woolwich, Wellesley and Perth East townships.
This time around, only 16 contestants will be taken, as last year’s starting number of 20 was deemed too unwieldy, said organizer Wendy Richardson, adding there’ll be an afternoon start-time for the event rather than running late into the evening.
There will be three elimination rounds, the first being June 3 at the Wellesley Community Centre, with a workshop for contestants starting at 1 p.m., followed by the tryouts at 2 p.m. Contestants will be expected to present one song a cappella and another accompanied by music.
The contest will be judged by Gary Goeree of the Community Players of New Hamburg, Tavistock musician Charlene Zehr and former Idol winner Scott Malloch.
Following the first round, the semi-finalists will square off at the Wellesley-North Easthope Fall Fair on Sept. 11, with the eventual winner chosen Sept. 29 at the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. First prize is $500, with $300 going to the runner-up and $200 to the singer who finishes third. There will also be $125 awarded to the People’s Choice at the fall fair.
For more information, call Wendy Richardson at 519-656-2961. She’ll take registrations and provide a complete set of rules, as well as answer any questions. Applications are due by May 29.
