WIS Star Search Comes to Successful End

Although Star Search is not a new event at West Island School, after staggered years of its occurrence, it was our pleasure to re-introduce it this year in the hopes of setting up a foundation for many years to come.

Conversations regarding Star Search began before the summer holidays of 2015, but it wasn’t until after the Circle in the Water Arts Festival in December that set dates and categories were decided. It was important to us as a committee, that we aimed to represent all aspects of the Creative Arts, and so we incorporated as many of these into the competition. As such, we introduced two new categories – the Composition and Film categories. After receiving over 60 group and individual entries, we began the process of auditioning all the contestants, first through closed heats and then in the open heats during 22 – 25 February. Through this process, we narrowed down the enormous pool of talent the school had to offer into a selection of around 25 acts.

The entire competition culminated in the final Star Search Showcase, lasting three consecutive days with the 1st place winners performing on Wednesday, March 2. Students and teachers were treated to a fantastic display of creative ability, especially from the winners of each category: Fode Yakpo for Junior Solo Voice; Maddie Bowers for Senior Solo Voice; Phoebe Fung for Piano; Raphael Lam for Solo Instrumental; Kimberly Cheah and Olivian Wong for Vocal Ensemble; Wesley Fung and Phoebe Fung for Instrumental Ensemble; Rebekah Yong and Karen Leung for Dance; Harmeet Bhatia for Composition; and Syarah Duggie, Marcus Christo and Adrian Gee for Film.

The event spanned a month and the entire process could not have been possible without the endless support we received from staff and students alike. In particular: Ms Dalgarno, Mr Jolly, Lok and Mr Tranent who helped us setup the event and live stream; the teachers who judged the open heats; Ms Foxcroft for presenting the trophies; and the PE department for letting us contribute to the Swim 4 Jonathan event. Additionally, our thanks goes to the 70 or so students who auditioned as well as Sanon Liu, Kimberly Cheah, Zarah Tesfai and Yeni Yakpo, who were instrumental in the organisation of the event.

We hope that Star Search is an event that grows in the following years, as it truly is a grand celebration of the incredible talent that the students of West Island School have to offer.

Erica Stanley (T3AC) and the Circle in the Water Committee

We also must congratulate and commend Erica for all her contribution to the event, she was instrumental in bringing the event to life.

Please click here for photos to the whole event.

Please click here to view the video of the finals.