Gorleston Makes Music 2018
Young talent shines
Gorleston Makes Music is an annual event that showcases local musical talent.
On Sunday 19th of August at the Rotary Bandstand on Gorleston sea front and in front of an appreciative picnic crowd and Mayors Mary Coleman the 6 finalists at this year’s Gorleston Makes Music performed and entertained. A varied programme was provided, and the judges had their work cut out choosing the 1st three places.
1st was local 19 year old Karolina Reutaite, a classic crossover singer who performed classical opera items and is off to Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge to study music and her reward was £250 donated by solicitors Norton Peskett. While the judges were making their decision compare Dave Crickmore asked the audience to give a ‘clapometer’ review for the 6 and Karolina’s was impressive.
After her win Karolina did an encore of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. Earlier this year the Lithuania-born student from Englands Lane, who went to Cliff Park Ormiston Academy and Access to Music in Norwich, performed on the In Betweeners’ Stage at the Latitude Festival. She has been singing since she was five, trying classics, pop and show songs, but says opera is her favourite.
2nd and from Derham was 17 year old guitarist Hannah Bavage performing her own compositions and her prize of £100 was donated by local builders M H King & Son.
Salmon Toheed, a 21 year old singer guitarist from Norwich, took 3rd place and he performed his own compositions whose reflective work mixed English, Urdi, Hindi and Pujabi. He has been awarded a 3 year scholarship is study popular music at Goldsmith University London and his prize of £50 was donated by beauty salon, 10 Baker Street.
The final 3 places were taken by 15 year old Ormiston Academy student Jake Needham from Belton on keyboard playing his own jazz arrangements, singer Jean O’Callaghan a member of local Gilbert & Sullivan group who performed songs from The West End and from Lowestoft, Dana Jordan another young guitarist singer who performed her own pop-punk compositions.
During the auditions, held at ENSFC in July, the judges had been impressed by 10 year old singer Ella Thurtle and she was asked to attend to entertain the audience at the mid performance break and the reception she had on finishing suggests we will hear more of her in the years to come.
As a recognition of their promise Jake and Ella were presented with money from The Norfolk Music Hub to help with future music lessons. Dana and Jean each received cheques for £25 donated by The Rotary Club of Gorleston who organised the competition.
A good day was had by all and Gorleston Rotary Club would like to thank Mary & Barry Coleman for their attendance, Dave Crickmore for MC duties and the picnickers who showed their appreciation in generous applause and donations to the Rotary Club, a great £220.
During the afternoon Rotarians had a chance to talk to the competitors and they were all blown away by their confidence, charisma and the sheer joy they get from performing.
