Back in the 1950s a Tony Bennett song touched a chord in millions of fans. Today organizers of the 2011 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games are searching for a magical theme song that once again people will quickly identify with.
“We’re looking for a song that will be played at different events leading up to the Games and during the Games,” said Games manager Stephen Bourdeau. The four-day event takes place in St. Albert from Feb. 24 to 27 and will be a highlight of the city’s upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations.
The Games committee, in partnership with Visionary College, is hosting a competition for an unpublished song. The winner receives a $500 honorarium, a professional recording and will enjoy the opportunity of having their tune performed throughout the games.
“Ideally, we would also like to put it on the website and anyone could download it, and it would be a lasting memory for participants.”
The Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games showcases a mix of the physically challenging such as ice hockey, curling and cross-country skiing combined with the more leisurely Scrabble, bridge, darts and snooker.
The Games’ tag line is ‘Bring It On’ and two major themes focus on an intergenerational awareness and spotlighting the community’s local talent through numerous cultural events.
Keeping in mind the two major themes, Bourdeau suggests entries should be under four minutes and need to be upbeat, simple and memorable. As for the mood it creates, “We have a clean slate going into this. Our minds are open and fresh and we’re willing to be wooed by the entries.”
Competitors must be residents of St. Albert and any songwriter under 18 requires parental approval. Deadline for entries is Thursday, June 10 at 5 p.m.
Entry guidelines and forms can be obtained either at Visionary College or from the Games website at www.st-albert55plusgames.ca.
