MUSCATINE, Iowa–In the heyday of “American Idol’s” popularity, Muscatine Community College got in on the act to give students and the community a chance to showcase their vocal talent. Chad Bishop, media production specialist at Muscatine Community College, remembers that in 2006, the college’s choir, theatre department, and public access channel (Channel Nine) all came together to put on RiverCity Idol, an event mimicking the popular TV show, complete with a pre-interview for contestants, three judges, and many community participants.
While a student at Muscatine High School, Chad Bishop’s son, Chase Bishop found a video of his choir teacher performing in the first RiverCity Idol. Intrigued by more than just seeing old footage of a teacher, Chase Bishop wondered if anyone could bring the event back.
Now a freshman at Muscatine Community College taking his father’s TV production class, Chase Bishop saw the perfect opportunity to revive RiverCity Idol. As the classes final project, students vote on an event to produce, plan it out, and then host and broadcast it. Chase Bishop’s classmates caught his enthusiasm for the event and chose to pursue it for their project.
Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in Muscatine Community College’s black box theatre in Strahan Hall, up to 12 contestants will perform, all trying to claim the title of best singer in Muscatine. A panel of three judges will choose first and second place winners, with the first place winner receiving cash and gift cards worth $300 and the second place winner receiving a Guadalajara gift certificate as well as memorabilia from the Muscatine Community College bookstore. Community members may attend the event in person, or watch it on Muscatine Power and Water cable or on Chanel Nine’s YouTube channel. Attendees may also pay $1 to vote for the people’s choice winner, who will earn bragging rights for the year.
Throughout the semester, students have worked hard to prepare for the show, often meeting outside of class time to get prospective contestants signed up (which you may still do by emailing [email protected]), find sponsors to donate prizes to them, advertise the show to the community, create judging criteria, and find willing judges and hosts to help make the show a reality. Though this process entailed a lot of work for students, Chase Bishop found it worthwhile and hopes contestants will benefit from the experience too. “If you’re trying to establish yourself in music, it’s always good to have a video to showcase what you’ve done,” he said.
As the classes’ teacher Chad Bishop has found, “just the thrill of seeing the project come to life and have success,” the best part of the experience. He added, “having them have learned from hearing me talk about it, and seeing me do it, and then doing it themselves,” felt quite fulfilling.
