Sesel I Annan Talan-Youngsters win big in talent show |11 August 2012

With their soothing singing, velvet voices and superb music skills, the singers and musicians in three categories – 12-17 years, 18-35 years, and groups – wowed the four judges and the crowd who included President James Michel, who is also the Jj Spirit Foundation patron, at the event which was held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).

President Michel, who must have been overwhelmed by the talents of the young singers and the loud applause from the audience, presented the winners in these three categories with their prizes.

While the Zenith band provided the musical backing for the individual performers, the ICCS technicians and sound technician Eddie Télémaque made sure there was some good sound as the singers sang three songs – one by an international artist, one from a local artist and one picked from the jury’s list – in the packed and boisterous auditorium.

In the 12-17 years category final, Shane Farabeau, the first male singer to make the final in this division, edged Julia Jeannevol to clinch top prize – R25,000 sponsored by European Resorts – another R3,000 from the Count and Read day care centre, an Acer notebook and an ipod sponsored by European Resorts.

The judges awarded the first prize of R25,000, an Acer notebook, an ipod (all sponsored by European Resorts) and a weekend for two on Desroches Island sponsored by the Islands Development Company (IDC) to Danielle Denis who outsmarted Ruth Mathararachi in the very competitive 18-35 years class.

The members of Next Generation, who beat Classical Soul Vibration to the title in the groups category, got the winner’s prize of R25,000, an Acer notebook and an ipod each (all sponsored by European Resorts) as well as a weekend on Silhouette island sponsored by IDC.

In fact, the winners – Farabeau, Denis and Next Generation – pocketed another R10,000 apiece for the People’s Choice awards after members of the public had voted for their favourite performers through SMS.

The runner-up in the 12-17 years category got R20,000 sponsored by European Resorts and R2,000 sponsored by Count and Read day care, while the runner-up in the 18-35 years category pocketed R20,000 sponsored by Sea Shell Travel and a full day excursion for five persons sponsored by Kiss me Charters. The runners-up in the groups category got R20,000 sponsored by European Resorts and a weekend at La Digue Island Lodge sponsored by the hotel.

As for the third place finishers – Isha Hoareau with Bound to You by Christina Aguilera (12-17 years category), Marcel Jeannevol with Strength of a Woman by Shaggy (18-35 years division) and Next Level Sound with their own composition Vin ek Mwan (groups category) – amassed R15,00 each.

Over and above these prizes, all participants received a certificate, an ipod Nano, and two books by President James Michel (Distant Horizon and Man of the People).

Hopefully the young singers will get another chance to display their talents soon!