Cantus has an annual fundraiser, Cantus Idol, where the 9 guys of Cantus perform solo pieces and the audience votes on a winner. The money goes towards Cantus' Education Outreach program and High School Residency programs where Cantus picks 3 high schools in the metro area. This year, the event was on May 7th at the Dakota Jazz club in downtown Minneapolis. The emcee got on stage and welcomes everyone to the event while the guests eat dinner. There are 9 jars at the front of the stage with a picture of each member of Cantus on each jar. The guys get up and perform their song, which was quite a variety of songs (country, folk, jazz, classic rock, and pop). The guys could use piano, track, or guitar to accompany them.
While one of the guys are singing, you can walk up and put money in their jar. The 4 guys with the most money in their jar after the first round go on to the next round. They sing a second song, and the 2 guys with the most money compete in the final round. This year Adam and Paul made it to the final round, and Adam was crowned Cantus Idol having the most money in his jar!
There was also an auction going on in between rounds with a variety of items. There was a "dinner with Cantus", where the guys will cook a meal for whoever buys this item. You can also buy a private Cantus concert to be used at your house or another setting of your choice. There was also a suitcase full of everything you need to go on tour (iPod nano, board games, black socks, nasal spray, medicines) and a trip to Vail, CO, with Cantus this Summer.
At the end of the night, Cantus raised over $70,000. It was absolutely incredible!!! It was so much fun. Everyone should become friends with Cantus on facebook, so that you can look at the album of pictures from Idol.
