5/14/2007 - Chautauqua Lake Idol Competition Gets Under Way With Open Audition
By NICHOLAS L. DEAN
Before fans start pouring into Bemus Point this summer for the 2007 Chautauqua Lake Idol, organizer SE93 must first choose contestants for the annual vocal competition.
Media One Group radio station, WWSE 93.3 FM will announce the details of this year's Idol audition on-air today.
Scheduled for Saturday, June 16 at the Chautauqua Mall, the open registration runs from 9 a.m. to noon with singing beginning promptly at 11 a.m. Unlike previous years when SE93 held multiple auditions throughout the county, the June 16 audition at the Chautauqua Mall will be the one and only opportunity for singers to audition for the 2007 SE93 Chautauqua Lake Idol competition.
Now in its fourth year, SE93"s Chautauqua Lake Idol brings thousands of people from Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania into Bemus Point during July and August. On average 3,000 people or more line up the Bemus Point shoreline each Monday night to see local contestants compete on the Floating Stage.
''We never thought that it would have taken off like this,'' said Andrew Hill, Media One Group program manager and host of the event.
Begun in 2004, Hill said he remembers juggling his way through the first year of Chautauqua Lake Idol — not knowing what to expect of the event. Though the first competition was small in comparison to the last two years, the event is obviously of interest to area residents — as attendance has only continued to grow each year.
''By the second year, we realized that we had something going for us when they had to shut down the street between the Surf Club and the Floating Stage,'' Hill said. ''We really knew we were on to something big in the third year because we had crowds that were almost as large as the annual Sunday Bemus Pops Events.''
See CHAUTAUQUA IDOL On Page A-3
In addition to the onshore crowds, Hill said that as many as 30 to 40 boats anchor in Bemus Bay for the event.
''The thing that's amazing is the fact that it's a Monday night,'' Hill said of the event's attendance. ''It's not even a weekend. I guess we're just proud to be the station that extends everyone's weekend.''
In search of the ''best singers around,'' SE93 will select 20 people from the open audition to perform as part of the stations summer-long competition.
When the contest begins on July 2, the hopeful contestants will be separated into two groups of 10, with one group performing in each of the first two nights of competition. Following that, the contest is comprised of a series of competitive theme nights. Past themes include Motown and show tunes to '70s, '80s and '90s music, each theme night ends with the elimination of some performers.
Following in the footsteps of past winners Susan Waite, a fifth grade Southwestern middle school teacher, and Marla Harris, an MRC employee, the winner of the 2006 Chautauqua Lake Idol competition was Lauren Cecchini — an 18-year-old SUNY Fredonia student from Jamestown.
During the competition, singers perform on the Floating Stage with a four-piece stage band and have the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes.
''It was a really great experience,'' said Ms. Cecchini of her participation in the 2006 competition. ''It's just a great community event that brings people together to enjoy their Monday nights on Chautauqua Lake. It's a ton of fun to watch and to participate in, so if you are up for a good summertime competition, this is for you. It is a fun experience and people should make the most of it.''
The SE93 Chautauqua Lake Idol winners were also given the opportunity to be featured during the Bemus Bay Pops ''End of Summer Orchestral Finale'' on Labor Day weekend, broadcast live on SE93.
In addition to organizing the event, Hill will again host Chautauqua Lake Idol this year.
''It's become almost like an extended family,'' Hill said. ''Each summer is a reunion of judges, band members, people behind the scenes, and of course the fans that help make the show successful by returning each year to support us.''
For the June 16 audition, singers must arrive prepared to sing a 60-second song acappella in front of a panel of Idol judges. The contest is open to singers ages 18 and older. Anyone who turns 18 by Aug. 20 is eligible to audition. For the official rules and to pre-register for the audition, visit ChautauquaLakeIdol.com, or stop by the SE93 Studios at 2 Orchard Road, Jamestown during regular business hours. For additional questions call SE93 at 487-1151.
Send comments to
ndean@post-journal.com.
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