Elena Edwards
After the excitement of the American Pacific International
School’s APIS IDOL 2009 contest, held at the school’s auditorium, there
was no time at all for the dedicated organisers to rest and relax - it
was ‘all systems go’ for the joint international schools’ regional IDOL
finals and the ‘Battle of the Band’, held Saturday May 16.
As well as the APIS winners, IDOL contestants from Elementary, Middle
and High School levels came from Prem International, Lanna
International, Nakornpayap International and Chiang Mai International
schools … all eager to represent their schools and show their
considerable talents on stage.
‘Legend of the Dark’ group from Lanna
International School
were the popular winners.
Sponsors of the much anticipated event included Le Meridien, the Chedi
Hotel, Duke’s Restaurant, Miguel’s, Giraud Farms, Harley-Davidson (with
several ‘to die for’ big bikes on display!), the Royal India Restaurant,
and the Relaxation Spa - all more than willing to help make the occasion
the success it deserved to be.
The four independent judges, all musicians themselves, were in place and
the auditorium was full to over-capacity when the MC for the day, APIS
student councillor, band teacher and organiser, Syd Moss, bounded onto
the stage to begin what proved to be a show of young talent of a very
high standard indeed.
The first half was devoted to the inter-schools final of the IDOL song
contest - those who had been at the APIS IDOL event were more than happy
to see their favourites perform again, and perform they did, competing
magnificently with the contestants from the other 4 schools. The house
band from the Good View restaurant provided the backing, balancing
beautifully with the young singers and obviously enjoying every minute.
So much talent and enthusiasm for performing, so evident in so many
young people - as act followed act, the judges realised they had a
difficult choice. The CMIS IDOL’s high school level winner, Sally, had
been the first to perform … singing the Whitney Houston number, ‘I will
always love you’, with a lovely voice and stunning interpretation,
setting an almost unbeatable standard. Until, amazing everyone with her
professional presentation and her sheer blazing talent, the aptly-named
Song, high school level winner from Lanna International, wowed us all
with her interpretation of ‘Listen.’
The judging that followed was unanimous - first prize to Song, runner up
to Sally. But - all of the other contestants were so very talented and
performed so well, they all deserved a prize! The joint music staff from
all 5 schools must have been thrilled that their students had made them
so very proud!
‘911’ were unanimously voted as runners-up.
After a brief interval, it was time for the much anticipated ‘Battle of
the Bands’. Four of the schools were represented, Prem with ‘911’,
Chiang Mai International with ‘Okham’s Razor’, Lanna International with
‘Legend of the Dark’, and APIS with ‘Paper Chains Didactic’.
911 presented a very unusual mix of vocals, guitar and harmonica, with
the singer, Gina using her very attractive ‘country’ style voice to
effect. The APIS band fielded a great mix of guitar, bass, drums,
keyboard, trumpet and two vocalists - a strong sound which had feet
tapping all over the hall. ‘Okham’s Razor’s combo of 2 guitars, bass,
drums and vocals won cheers and applause, but the clear winners were
‘Legend of the Dark’ from Lanna International, whose combination of
guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals thrilled everyone with the
amazingly well-played and professional performance, with 911 unanimously
declared as the runners-up. A superb evening, enjoyed enormously by all!
Those dedicated organisers, however, still won’t have much time to rest,
as they are already planning for next year’s events. Syd and the rest of
the team are planning to take the event countrywide, allowing a large
number of talented youngsters from all over Thailand to compete against
one another in both the IDOL and Battle of the Bands events. And after
next year? International!
We wish them all well, and congratulate everyone who took part in any
way in this inspiring concept.
The
works of art continue to be on show at the
Chiang Mai Night Safari.
