VGT 2014

There were eighteen acts that made it through to The Grand Final. All had received top comments from their semi-final and sure to give the judges a hard time in assessing their performances. 

ENJAYperformed ‘Let It Go’ in their Semi Final and Neev and Jack were complimented on a “well worked song” and “a splendid confident performance”. There was a “beautiful interaction” between the eleven year-olds and they performed a “difficult song” with ease.

The judges could hardly believe that GEMMA is only 9 years old and were highly complimentary about her “excellent footwork and beautiful arms and legs movement” . She managed to make “a great impression which is difficult for a solo performance. “It was elegant, demure” and “as sparkling as your dress”.

DEMI JORDANAEperformed her version of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, and was complimented on her “very different interpretation” of a classic song. You “have a good style” and have a “bucketful of talent”, “an enchanting smile that lit up the room”, and “a great stage presence.”

TREASURE are a group of dancers from Belvoir Dance Academy and they gave “an energetic performance from start to finish”. One judge confessed to have been “totally mesmerised with the act and the interpretation of the song”. “Your lovely smiles ensured a happy performance”.

Thirteen year old THOMAS CHARLEYperformed ‘Walking In The Air’ and was told that his “personality shone through”  as he “relaxed into the song”. “ You moved in the ‘musical bridges’ and it was obvious that you love singing”. “It’s a challenging song” and “ you  dressed appropriately for your performance”.

TYLER NUGENT,from Bingham, sang “Eucalyptus”, his own composition and the judges were impressed with his “extraordinary guitar playing”, made even more impressive as he’s only been playing the guitar for 3 years. He was told it was an “emotional performance “ by a “unique performer”.

ALFIE SHARPEsang with “gusto and enthusiasm” and it was questioned whether Elton John would have been “that good at your age”. It was “a mature, mesmerising and magnificent” performance and it was clear that Alfie had “a real feel for the music”.

FLY DANCE, from Brooksby Melton College, gave an “effortless, energetic and effervescent” performance as they acted and danced their way through their act. “You were cheeky, sassy and snappy” and “your performance was slick and professional”. “It was tremendous”.

In their semi-final BLANK CANVASplayed with plenty of “pizzazz, power and professionalism” and were complimented on their great guitar playing. “You’re a band that’s laid back and are very good together”. “You really entertained us”.

ELLIE KEYS gave a “powerful, passionate and professional performance” . The judges were impressed by her “great vocal range” and her “confident use of the stage”. She was told that it was a “very mature performance, full of emotion”.

GOOD VERSUS EVIL, a group of 11-16 year-olds from Belvoir Dance Academy, gave an atmospheric Halloween performance which “told a good story”.  “It was well choreographed and you all threw yourself into the part”. It was “a sharp and polished performance”.

ELLIE SHAWsang ’Ghost’. The judges said it was “a huge song” and “you should have big, big congratulations for your performance”. “Your gestures are great and you have such a powerful voice” . Ellie was told that she “looked and sounded ‘cool’ and captured all the different tempos and textures of the song”.

LAURA ALLISON a 16 year old singer song writer from Bingham sang her own song “Fairytales”. This was her first public rendition of this song and the judges remarked that she “gave a great audition”. It was “full of expression” and soon the audience felt that “they knew the song”.

APPLAUSE, from K2 Dance Academy , gave a performance that was “full of lovely tricks”. It was “full of energy” and “we were dazzled from the moment you got on the stage”. They reminded one judge of the Tiller Girls and he was impressed by their “adventurous lifts”.

TOM DUNNINGTON sang Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “Cecilia” with his own interpretation. The judges were impressed with his versatile “guitar picking” and his “melodious voice”. “You had great variation within the song  and gave an extremely confident performance”.

CHARLEY PARKER sang her emotional version of “I Dreamed A Dream”  in which she impressed the judges with her “power and theatrical performance”. “You really sold it and I believed every word of it”. “You have great diction” and “did the song justice”

DAYLE McNULTY was told that he had “great connection with the audience” and had “an excellent stage presence”. “It was a fabulous song choice “ once you moved away from the microphone stand  you relaxed into your performance”. “You have a great voice with a ‘bit of an edge’ to it”.

NEON GLEE had “the wow factor” from the beginning. They were described as “electrifying, effervescent, uplifting” and just excellent as they gave their performance of  ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. There were some “amazing vocals” and the harmonies were “just spot-on”.

With these credentials it was indeed a difficult task for the judges and whilst they retired to make their tough decision the audience was entertained by last year’s winner, Savinnah Quelcutti.  Savinnah showed great confidence and style as she sang three songs: Chandelier (by Sia), Not About Angels (by Birdie), and the song which she won with in 2013, Clowne (by Emeli Sande). It was obvious to all of us who saw her last year that her confidence has grown and we now must wait to see how she progresses in the National Competition, The Voice.

Not only, however, is Savinnah a confident performer, but she is also finding time to raise money for a Charity “Make a Wish Foundation”. She is doing a sponsored Parachute Jump in 2015 and to help her on her way President Steve Carson presented her with a cheque for £200 for her chosen charity.