In a lighthearted turn of events, Ben Shannon, a graphic journalist at CBC and proud father residing in Toronto, stumbled upon the existence of an international whistling contest while watching the BBC quiz show “Only Connect.” Intrigued, he promptly signed himself and his youngest daughter, Sumire, up for the Masters of Musical Whistling mailing list.
Initially dismissing the contest as a casual and enjoyable activity, Shannon saw it as a perfect opportunity to bond with Sumire during the pandemic. To his surprise, they received confirmation that they had qualified for the competition, which was set to take place in Los Angeles.
Upon realizing the gravity of the competition, Shannon sought guidance from Carole Anne Kaufman, also known as the Whistling Diva, who critiqued their audition tapes and emphasized the need for dedicated practice. Motivated by a sense of responsibility to set a positive example for Sumire, Shannon embarked on a rigorous training regimen, honing their whistling skills daily for over a month.
The journey led them to the grand stage of the 2023 Masters of Musical Whistling competition in Hollywood, where they encountered a diverse array of exceptionally talented contestants from around the globe. Witnessing the passion and artistry of fellow whistlers, Shannon felt his long-held sense of irony dissipate.
Stepping onto the stage with Sumire, they delivered heartfelt performances that earned them accolades—Sumire secured silver in the kids’ category, while Shannon clinched gold in the level one adults’ category. Despite his lingering teenage penchant for irony, Shannon recognized the significance of genuinely caring about something and embracing vulnerability.
Ultimately, the experience taught Shannon the value of shedding pretenses and embracing sincerity, as sometimes, embracing the seemingly silly pursuits leads to genuine fulfillment and self-discovery.
