West Side Idols 4 singers to perform Aug. 17
Date: 8/15/2012
By Lori Szepelak
lori@thereminder.comWEST SPRINGFIELD — The Park & Recreation Department has once again partnered with Dan Kane of the Dan Kane Singers in offering singers, ages 8 to 16, an intensive week of singing including solo's, group song and dance.
The children are enrolled in the "West Side Idols 4" performance camp during the week of Aug. 13, and will showcase their talent on the Middle School stage for a free performance at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17. The event is open to the public.
"We bring new songs, new challenges and new opportunities to better the children's own musical skills each new season," Kane said during an interview with
Reminder Publications.
This year's participants come from cities and towns across Western Massachusetts, however, most are from West Springfield, according to Kane.
Kane works closely with Tony Di Giore, a former West Springfield music teacher, on the project.
"He promotes live quality music throughout Western Massachusetts, every chance he gets," Kane said. "He is a sweetheart to work with and the kids love him."
Kane serves as musical director for the week-long extravaganza. He is hired by the city to run the program and is responsible for the daily instruction as well as presenting a finale concert at the end of the week.
"That can be quite a challenge with only five days to prepare my students," Kane said. "The town provides a very talented dance instructor, Audrey Goyotte, who helps maintain the quality and depth of the show."
Kane also recognized teen counselors Lauran Beluzo of East Longmeadow and Madeline Lukomski of Westfield, who offer guidance and insight to the new singers.
"They were in the same shoes once upon a time," Kane stated.
Kane emphasized that singing today is more about performance, glitz, distractions and shock value than it is about singing.
"Your Bubles, Grobans and Adeles are rare performers," he said. "They are some of the few entertainers today who do not rely on dramatics in order to sell out a concert. Their straight-forward approach to singing is still very much in vogue, much like a Sinatra, Bennett or Streisand were in days gone by."
Kane said he prefers teaching a "real singer" who does not need exploding things and half-clothed dancers to please an audience.
There are only 40 students who are allowed in the program each year.
"Some students are truly professional before they arrive, while others are learning how to sing and perform for the first time," Kane explained. "I love to see the wonderful mentoring that takes place for that is the true success of any program."
Though the title of the program resembles the popular television show, "American Idol," it only does in name, according to Kane.
"In this instance there are no winners and no losers and no prizes or recording contracts to be won," he said. "You are competing against yourself. You are asked to be more than you were when you walked in the door and you are given all the tools to be a more successful and confident singer."
Kane added that when the children come alive the night of the finale concert, he knows, as teachers they have done their jobs well.
"My only regret is the realization that when this program ends, so does our sweet summer," he said. "Oh well, we can always look forward to Idol 5 next year."
For more information on all Park and Recreation Department programs, call 263-3284 or visit
www.west-springfield.ma.us.
