March 29, 2024

BY BRANDY FULTON

The fourth season of the singing competition The Shot is coming to Kitchener this November. With over 200 contestants, this season will be the most intense and best season yet.

The Shot was started in 2014 by C.J. Allen, who is the executive director of the competition. He used to live abroad in South Korea where he worked as a professional in the entertainment and music industry; That country had a singing competition to bring students together and when Allen returned to Canada, he knew that he wanted to do something in Kitchener-Waterloo to unify the region and its students.

“There is all kinds of talent, not just in Kitchener-Waterloo, but all over Canada,” said Chris Hussey, digital content specialist for The Shot.

After three seasons, this year’s competition will be the first that is open to everyone over the age of 16, not just University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College students. Hussey said there are only 15-20 performers from the region; the rest are either from other cities in Ontario or from outside the country. One person is even from the Bahamas.

Contestants were able to apply online for the competition and will participate in the first round of auditions on Nov. 4 and 5. The semifinals and finals will be live streamed on the Internet for friends and family who are not able to make it to the competition. Co-ordinators for the event have made it clear they will not broadcast the event on TV.

“We want to make it more about the talent and less about the show,” said Hussey.

Last year contestants were allowed to have another person on stage with them playing an instrument, but that is no longer allowed.

Hussey said, “The show remains a solo event because it’s all about promoting confidence in the performers.”

The finals will be held on Nov. 26, with a time and location still to be determined. The winner will receive opportunities to start their music career and $25,000. Co-ordinators of The Shot encourage residents of the tri-city area to come out to the live event and support competitors, but, if that is not possible, to watch the live stream at www.eventastic.com

2 responses to “Singers are given ‘a shot’

  1. Just to let you know, a former Spoke reporter and journalism student at Conestoga College in the early 70s is coming home to sing in this show.
    I will be auditioning Nov. 4. Conestoga College’s journalism program launched a rather illustrious newspaper career that spanned almost two decades.
    After brain surgery forced me out of the reporting business, I took to singing. I’m looking forward to coming back to my home town to participate in this competition.

    1. Hi Jeff,
      Great to hear from you. I am a graduate of Conestoga’s journalism program as well (in the early ’80s) and now teach full time in the program. I have passed on your story idea to the student who did the original story.
      Good luck in the competition. I am rooting for you.

      Christina Jonas
      Professor of Journalism and Spoke faculty adviser

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