Well, that was close. This years Endota Spa Voice Of Frankston competition went right down to the wire on Sunday November 23 at the Arts Centre as a judging panel that included PEARL’s very own Simon Mills were again pushed to the limit.
RPP FM presenters Josh and Tarryn covered the event which was also aired on Channel 31 with the performances from the contestants exceeding all expectations. This time, scores from Simon, and fellow judges Ian Pav (from Pavmusic), Ariana Friend (from AV Productions), Joanna Jacobs (from Beyond Actors Casting Agency) and Cail Baroni (Adult 2013 Winner), were so high and close the adjudicator had to triple check all calculations.
Eventually, the winners were announced and to the victors go the spoils. 13 year old Fox DeRoche-Jarrett delighted the crowd with his rendition of Rip Tide by Vance Joy and deservedly took out the Junior Category prize with 17 year old Sian Crowe winning the Adult Category, wowing the audience with Feeling Good by Nina Simone. The Senior category was then won by Gail Howden pleasing the judges and crowd members with a Toni Braxton number, Another Sad Love Song.
Amazingly the Junior and Adult winner shared the same high score of 191 out of a possible 200 points with this quote from Ian Pav summing up the competition. “Considering that this is a local talent competition, not even state based, the level of talent from all finalists in The Voice of Frankston 2014 blew me away. I am glad it was a panel of judges scoring that made the decision as anyone in each section in the grand final could have been a worthy winner.”
The victors now receive a share of $10,000, a single CD recording, a filmed video clip, make-up and CD cover photography, an interview with PEARL Magazine (who also sponsor the event) plus support and vouchers from local businesses.
All in all fun was had and a massive congratulations to the winners and all those who took part. If you think you’ve got what it takes, why not enter the 2015 Endota Spa Voice of Frankston and see where it gets you.
SIMON BURKE