Ten top singers coming from the first two preliminaries of the 2025 Richard Stoute Teen Talent contest have been announced but they have to wait until next Saturday to see if their semifinals positions have been sealed.
The names were not revealed in order of points. Those from the first preliminary were Chelsea Ellis, Chelsea Codogan-Goddard, Joshua Osbourne and Dacia Moore and those from the second preliminary were Kymani Devonish, Tavon Boyce, Kalani Bishop, Crayshanda St Hill, Jasmine Walkes and Janique Williams.
It was during the second preliminary of the competition that emcee Carl Padmore explained the process and the way forward for the next weekend of shows to a well patronised Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre at Queen’s Park , St Michael on Sunday night.
‘By the end of the night, we are going to give you the top ten so far. Of course, when you hear ten there is going to be a preliminary on Saturday with the final five who will be appearing with the Over-21 s.
‘Some of the five or all of them can displace someone who is in the ten or it will mean that these tonight will be the ones advancing,’ he noted, adding that was how a competition goes.
Giving a glimpse of what will happen next weekend, Padmore reported that on Saturday there will be the first preliminary for the Over 21s.
Top 15
Five teens will be competing on the same night in a third preliminary and an announcement will be made there of the top 15 to advance.
The second Over-21 preliminary will be on Sunday.
Last Sunday’s preliminary boasted of 14 acts. Each did their utmost to impress the judges on the criteria of voice/rendition, diction/clarity, stage presence, technical skills and originality/creativity. Overall those categories include tunefulness, resonance, flexibility, strain-free singing- and expressiveness.
There won’t be a need to critique all of the performers or even those who are among those ten announced.
But on Sunday, Rohisia Sampson’s voice caught the attention for its tone, especially in the first half in Colours Of The Wind . It compels one to listen.
Devonish is charting a course as an excellent singer pleasant tone and range but volume control is critical.
Young Diamond Applewhaite, who sang Rise Up Hallelujah did not make it. However, she has potential vocally and a pleasant stage personality.
An overall observation is that contestants try to maximise points on technical skills and creativity by selecting songs with complex melodies.
St Hill’s treatment of Adele’s Turning Tables might contribute to her spot but Whitney Houston’s Run To You got her over the line.
It was no surprise that Boyce, Osbourne and especially Moore won the judges’ nod. Moore’s vocal treatment of On My Knees was beautifully presented. She was convincing and held one’s attention as she moved from chest to head voice. She looked the part on the stage.
Bishop, who brought the curtain down on the Sunday’s preliminary was an instant hit with the audience. He won hearts with his clear voice and unique treatment of Kenny Rogers’ Goodbye and Frank Sinatra My Way .
The show as usual lived up to its smooth production. Unfortunately, the emcee had to appeal to the over enthusiastic patrons to keep it low profile as the contestants performed. (JS)
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