Six varied acts have been chosen to showcase their talents in a seaside music event.
Gorleston Makes Music reaches its climax on Sunday, August 19 when picnicking crowds can watch the finalists chosen at recent auditions.
Twenty four entries have been whittled down to half a dozen by judges, whose chairman Gareth Getvoldsen said: “The acts were as good as last year and they were some of best we have ever had - so it will be a cracking final.”
The acts vying for final places this year ranged from a children’s choir and wartime songs to jazz keyboard, show songs, folk and pop.
Organiser Mike Getvoldsen, Gareth’s father added: “There was also a lot of original work and songs which highlights writing ability as well as performance.”
The event, now in its sixth year, is run by the Gorleston Rotary Club aims to provide a platform for performers to gain experience and exposure.
This year’s finalists are:
Jean O’Callaghan - show tunes singer
Dana Jorden – guitarist, singer-songwriter
Salman Toheed – song writer whose reflective work mixes English, Urdu and Hindi
Jake Needham – student pianist playing his own compositions, who came straight from school to audition
Hannah Bavage – guitarist, singer-songwriter
Karolina Reu – student classic crossover singer who recently sang at the Latitude Festival
Ten-year-old singer Ella Thurtle has also been invited to the final to entertain during the interval.
Auditions were held at the East Norfolk Sixth Form College last week.
The final is from 1pm on August 19 at the bandstand which Rotary opened in 2008 to mark the centenary of the international charity and friendship organisation.
It is used to host brass band concerts, but Rotary launched the Gorleston Makes Music competition to provide an extra event to encourage local talent.
The competition has cash prizes for finalists, including £250 for the winner sponsored by solicitors Norton and Peskett, but has other benefits for successful acts, who have gone on to gain places at music college, work on cruise ships and take lead roles in amateur musical productions, helped by the experience.
For more information see the events Facebook page @GorlestonMakesMusic
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