The Fergus Grand Theatre came alive with music on Feb. 9, as young singers from across the county braved the stage to compete in the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora’s first Can You Sing? competition.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the barrier-free park to be built at Stait Park in Fergus.
“Everyone who competed showed poise beyond their years and all are to be congratulated for their commitment and effort,” club officials said.
Included below are the winners in the various categories.
Thirteen and under soloist
First place, Katie Pound, 13, singing Time to say goodbye by Andrea Bocelli – $350 from Coldwell Banker Reality, Fergus.
Second place, Esther VanderVelde, 11, singing The Climb by Miley Cyrus – $250 from Community Resource Centre, Fergus.
Third, Harmony Workman, 11, singing Feeling Good by Nina Simone – $150 from Fergus Osteopathy Clinic.
Fourteen to 18 soloist
First place, Cassandra Ford, 17, singing You’re going to miss me by Lulu and the Lamp Shades – $500 from Meridian Bank, Fergus.
Second, Guilhem Kirby, 16, singing Empty Chairs and Empty Tables from Les Miserables – $350 from TD Canada Trust, Fergus and Elora branches.
Third, Kayla McTaggart, 17, singing Other side by Macklemore – $200 from Broderick’s apparel.
Duo/groups
First place, Tyler Desormeaux, 14 and Emma Phillips, 17, singing We owned the night, by Lady Antebellum – $1,000 from Dixon Home Hardware and Building Centre.
Second place, Brianna, 18; Karlie, 16; Christina, 15; and Avery Dolderman, 10; and Rebecca Pronk, 15, singing Restless by Audrey Assad and Be Still my Soul (music by Jean Sibelius and lyrics by Katharina von Schlegel) mash-up – $750 from Highland Pines Campground and RV sales, Belwood.
Third place, Calista Allison, 13, and Briar MacDonald, 13, singing Rolling in the Deep by Adele – $500 from All Treat Farms, Arthur.
In a press release, the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora thanked the sponsors, participants and volunteers who contributed to make this event “a resounding success.”
Club officials added, “We would also like to advise the youth of Wellington County to get busy thinking about what songs they will bring to next year’s competition.”
Registration opens Dec. 1 and the show will be held at the Grand Theatre on Feb. 8, 2014.
The singing competition is just one of many fundraising and entertaining activities hosted by the local Rotary Club.
President Bob Foster said the club has raised between $50,000 and $55,000 in the past year for various local causes, including Crime Stoppers, school meal programs, KidsAbility, and Habitat for Humanity.
Locally, the club has put roughly $250,000 into the local pool and a CT scanner for Groves Memorial Community Hospital, and recently donated $25,000 to the barrier-free Stait park project in Fergus.
Club fundraisers include bingos and a Christmas ham sale, in addition to the recent singing competition. In May, they will host the annual Big Band Charity Ball.
Foster says new members are always welcome. The club meets Tuesdays at 12:15pm at the Fergus Curling Club. Each meeting includes guest speakers “from all walks of life.”
“Our meetings are fun and entertaining. It’s all about fellowship,” said Foster, who invites anyone interested in joining the club to contact him at 519-843-3384, or any local Rotary member.
