Central Minnesota Idol Raises $18,000 to Support Youth Chorale Scholarships

(KNSI) – The area’s best singers brought the house down while raising money for youngsters to find their voice no matter their means.

Around 500 people attended Sunday night’s fifth annual Central Minnesota Idol. The show raised about $18,000 to provide scholarships for the Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota.

YCCM Executive Director Robyn Hennen told KNSI News the evening is vital to keep participation in the choir affordable for families. “That money will go to help our students be able to participate with no financial burden. So any singer that’s accepted into our program is in whether or not they’re able to pay.”

Hennen explained the Youth Chorale’s 170 members come from more than 30 communities. “Our kids are coming from all over not just the St. Cloud area. We have kids from Paynesville and from Osakis. So it’s really vital that we make sure that it is affordable because they have transportation costs as they’re coming to rehearsal.”

The Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota brings together the best area singers 10 to 18 years old. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota

She says this year’s competition was the first time they’ve allowed professional singers. In the end, James Calacsan bested Stacy Bauer, Paul ‘Stretch’ Diethelm, and Ted Manderfeld.

Calacsan is no stranger to winning awards. In 2018, he won three gold medals at the World Championship of Performing Arts. He was on TV in 2020 competing on the Fox network’s I Can See Your Voice. Last year, he competed on America’s Got Talent. Calacsan has also sung the National Anthem at numerous events around St. Cloud. He moved here from the Philippines in 2013.

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