The Grand Théâtre de Québec announced this Friday the creation of a scholarship for an emerging artist worth $10,000 in memory of singer-songwriter Karim Ouellet, who died just over a year and a half ago at the age of 37.
Published yesterday at 11:00 am.
“It is really a scholarship to commemorate Karim’s memory, his musical values and his pride in being from Quebec and living in his neighborhood, in the Lower City. “So the family is very proud and very touched,” we confided to her sister Sarahmée, who will be part of the selection committee.
Initiated by the Grand Théâtre de Québec following the tribute show Bye bye bye Karim – The Evening of Friends. e. s, awarded last summer, the Karim Ouellet Scholarship is awarded to one. He is an up-and-coming artist from Quebec, “regardless of the genre of music,” Sarahmée said.
The scholarship includes a number of hours of press work, but also a paid performance in the Quebec theater.
“It is a scholarship that is actually intended for young artists from Quebec who do not yet have a record label contract and have not released any projects yet,” adds Sarahmée. To make a first album, go to the studio, do the communications, a sum of $10,000 is still a good amount. »
In a press release issued Friday, Grand Théâtre de Québec program director Christian Noël paid tribute to the man nicknamed “Fox.”
“The idea of making a significant and long-term gesture was obvious to me: creating a scholarship in Karim’s name that would enable artists to launch their careers or give them additional momentum. An idea that Karim himself would undoubtedly have supported, given his progress and commitment [notamment auprès de l’organisme Jeunes musiciens du monde]. »
PHOTO ÉDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Singer-songwriter Sarahmée.
Interested candidates can submit their documents by December 1st. The selection committee, consisting of Sarahmée, a representative of the Grand Théâtre de Québec, another representative of the City of Quebec and another person nominated by the family, will announce the name of the recipient artist in February 2024.
“We will rely on the quality of the lyrics, the language, the musicality and analyze all of that,” says Sarahmée again. Of course it’s very subjective, but we can still see the marketing potential. »
For Sarahmée, this Karim Ouellet scholarship is the beginning of a series of other honors in memory of her brother.
“This is the beginning of other projects that will certainly see the light of day in Karim’s memory in the coming months and years, because he was an artist who was very committed, who loved to create, who was, above all, for music “His goal wasn’t to be the most famous, but to make his music and spread it, so I think we can do a lot of great things again. »
The announcement of the death of the L’amour performer, who was found lifeless in his music studio in Lower Town in mid-January 2022, shocked Quebec. The coroner concluded that he had died two months earlier of diabetic ketoacidosis resulting from uncontrolled diabetes.
More than a year and a half later, Sarahmée admits she still has difficulty talking about it and says she wants to grieve privately. “What I can say is that it is a big loss for us, we are trying to live as best we can. But it’s a void. Really. »