Talent chosen for the Vodafone Upcoming Artist 2011

In a statement, Vodafone Malta said that that considering the positive feedback that was registered, the organizers decided to extend the submission period by two weeks up till yesterday, 7  March.

The event is being organized by Vodafone Malta, Maestro Sigmund Mifsud and The Palace Hotel, Sliema. Vodafone said that twelve young artists have already made it through the auditions that have been held. The first call for submission was through Facebook and interest has been increasing as the days went by.

Through the event, Maltese talent will have the opportunity to perform before an audience and compete for the title of Vodafone Upcoming Artist 2011.  The winner will also get a weekend break for two at The Palace Hotel’s Music Suite.

st, 15^th, 29^th March and the 12^th of April. 

The first twelve artists to make it through are Mikaela Attard, Adrienne Azzopardi, Paul Cassar, Stephanie Desjardins, Vittorio Gauci, Christopher Grech, Owen Grech, Anne Marie Mayo, Lyndsay Pace, Rebecca Vassallo, Louisa Wirth, Peter Paul Zammit.

Each event will host a special guest and will declare a night’s finalist, narrowing down the competition to four finalists.   All four finalists will win a lunch or dinner for two at one of The Palace’s luxurious restaurants.

Videos of the four finalists will be uploaded both on YouTube and on Vodafone Malta’s Facebook page, and the public will have the opportunity to vote via SMS.  All SMS voters will also get a chance to win a weekend break two-nightstay in The Palace’s View Suite on bed and breakfast basis.  The artist winners on each respective night as well as the overall winner will be announced on Vodafone Malta’s Facebook page.

“Vodafone Maltahas long been supporting initiatives that promote local music. We believe in bringing music closer to the people and we’re doing this in a myriad of ways, by supporting both local music and foreign acts,” said Daniela Abela, Brand Executive at Vodafone Malta.

“Through this initiative we wanted to give upcoming talented singers and musicians the chance to show the public what they can do. We know there are many artists that have never had the possibility of showing off their talent.  The Vodafone Upcoming Artist 2011 initiative gives gifted artists the opportunity to perform before a public who can appreciate their musical efforts and performing skills.” 

Maestro Sigmund Mifsud who took on the role of producer for this initiative and who also headed the judging panel spoke about the selection process at the auditions.   He said preference was given to artists who played musical instruments and who wrote their own songs.

“Being an artist myself, I understand the difficulties that new artists have to face. It is not easy for upcoming artists to be provided an opportunity to perform in front of a public and I can assure you that this is an opportunity that upcoming artists are not willing to miss,” Maestro Sigmund Mifsud said.

Hotel Manager at AX Hotels Kevin Callus said: “As preparations to host the Vodafone Jamming Sessions are well underway at Temptasian and excitement at The Palace is gearing up!  We are ready to welcome both the performers and the public and to host the winner in our exclusive and luxurious Music Suite.”

Interested upcoming artists can submit their names by sending an email to [email protected] by the 7^th March. This competition is open to anybody over the age of 16 who performs pop and rock. Vodafone and The Palace employees are also eligible to take part.