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FIRST ‘STAR SEARCH’ A SUCCESS AND MORE TO COME |
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By Lave Tuiletufuga |
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The winners of SBC’s very
first StarSearch, Soloist winner Emi Fruean, Duet champions Ruta
Masinalupe and Silalomanu Isaia and the Acapella group winners, Seilua
Vaitupu, Faaiuaso Moala, Obert Tuisuga, Roy Crichton and Fatutolo
Tuisuga have a message to share with the young people of Samoa “Do not
be shy to showcase your talents because it’s your God given gift, and
to be the best that you can be.”
For 17 weeks, the eight winners have endured the pressure. And now that
the show is over, they all admit that prior to StarSearch, they knew
that they could sing but there was no opportunity to test their singing
talents.They have emerged as winners and they want the young people of
Samoa to come out of their shells and tell the country that if they
also have the talents to be whatever they believe they can achieve.
The winners also appreciate the recording price of five thousand
offered by Samoa Post Recording Studio for the soloist and duet
winners, the same for the acapella winner offered by SAMMS Recordings.
Over 60 thousand tala worth of prices include cash prices of about 20
thousand was given out to the winners.
The guest appearance made by international groups such as ARDIJAH and
Adeaze from NZ, helped challenged the quality of the local
performances.
The new Stars are popular, making public appearances during the Teuila
Festival 2004 as well as the Miss Samoa Pageant. Some have appeared on
several television commercials and its “all sweet,” says Soloist winner Emi Fruean.“I never imagined being
so popular,” she says after appearing as a guest performer during the Freek of
the Leek dance competition that was part of the Teuila Festival.
For Reverend Ieriko Nometa, with the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at
Alamagoto, StarSearch has done wonders for Seilua Vaitupu, the Church Choirs
lead singer. Reverend Nometa says that Vaitupu’s participation has more than
build Vaitupu’s self confidence but also his character as a young man. The
reverend believes that Vaitupu who has been living with the faifeau for close to
four years is a role model for the congregation youth and this speaks volumes
for initiatives such as StarSearch. |
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2004 duet category winner of the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation
(SBC) StarSearch - Ruta Masinalupe and Silalomanu Isaia. |
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StarSearch acapella group winner featuring Seilua Vaitupu,
Faaiuaso Moala, Obert Tuisuga, Roy Crichton and Fatutolo Tuisuga. |
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New Zealand band ARDIJAH, one of the guest performances during
the SBC StarSearch competition.
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Samoa Breweries through its Coca Cola sponsorship is satisfied with the
programmes achievements that it has committed to continue the partnership for
next year. Marketing and Sales Manager Michelle McDonald says the sponsors are
more than ready. MacDonald says that winners will also be given the opportunity
to compete in New Zealand in a similar initiative by Coca Cola.
Next year, SBC plans to introduce a new category for original composition.There
are also plans for a junior competition for the youngsters as a feeder to the
main StarSearch attraction.
The key anchor behind the competition, Atanoa Herbert Chricton said that there
are also plans for original competition to be judged separately. Chricton who is
also the Advertising and Sales Manager with the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation
says that SBC is also looking at linking up with other talent search contests
outside of Samoa as another opportunity for international performances. “We knew
from the beginning that there are talented young people out there,” said
Chricton. “StarSearch is exclusively for music and SBC is considering other arts
such as dancing and comedy as a possible joint venture in the future.”
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2004
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