Kudos to Rotary for promoting music

Friday, January 4, 2013

Leave it to the Rotary Club to come up with an innovative way to award scholarships.

Next weekend, area students will sing their hearts out to vie for awards at the second annual Bedford Rotary Regional Idol Scholarship Competition. The show takes place Saturday, Jan. 12, at Bedford High School. Though three judges will decide the finalists, the winner will be crowned by audience vote.

The high schoolers from Bedford, Manchester, Milford, Exeter and Pelham will perform on stage with professional lighting, sound and a backup band – all under the direction of Bedford’s Ed Bordeleau.

Bordeleau, whose musical roots stem from his father, pianist and music teacher Paul Bordeleau, is directing and producing the show. With his expertise, the students will be treated to an experience that could launch lifelong careers in entertainment.

An anticipated 800 people are expected to hear and cheer on these young singers. They deserve a round of applause for their talents and bravery for getting up on the stage to be judged. Just imagine the dedication, hard work and sacrifices these singers – and their families – have made all for arts sake.

The Rotary’s Regional Idol competition will help raise money for the club’s community service project, but it offers so much more. The contest gives students a chance to show why supporting music and the arts in our schools is so important.