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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>After 14 years Canton Idol will have its final competition April 16<sup>th</sup> at the Timken Early College Campus. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2 pm at the Arts in Stark Education Center, 1014 Cleveland Avenue, NW.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Canton Idol has auditioned over one-thousand individuals. Some of them have formed bands, produced CD’s and DVDs. Some contestants have moved to Branson, Nashville and other major cities to further their careers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition to being involved in the competition, participants have been given an opportunity to sing at various venues that include Hall of Fame events, Fairs, Church and community events, weddings, and many more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Betty Smith, founder of Canton Idol, decided to end this competition in keeping with the American Idol that is in its final year. After consultation with Brad and Christa Crozier, co-coordinators for Canton Idol, it was decided that 2017 will involve a singing competition for individuals and groups, a name has yet to be determined.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Canton Idol age categories are 7 – 10; 11 – 13; 14 – 18; 19- 28 and 29 and over.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Additional information can be obtained from their Facebook page, Canton Idol Auditions 2016 or Canton Idol and Friends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Canton Idol is a fundraiser for EN-RICH-MENT, a not for profit program that provides free music lessons, instruments, education, training, art, dance, voice and drumline to underserved urban youth ages 5 – 18<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Betty Smith<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>EN-RICH-MENT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><a href="http://www.facebook.com/en.rich.ment.1">www.facebook.com/en.rich.ment.1</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><a href="http://www.en-rich-ment.org/">www.en-rich-ment.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>If you put a musical instrument in a kids hand, he will not pick up a gun. El Sistema<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>