The Music Banquet

By Chia Huey

Kampar: 10 finalists of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) second Karaokay Competition sang their hearts out during the annual singing competition to compete for the crown of ultimate winner.

Chew Shern Hui, a Business Information System student was eventually crowned the winner of the competition. He impressed the judges with his very impeccable voice and overall performance. By winning the competition, he also earned himself RM5,500 in cash as the prize of the competition.

The competition was held in Heritage Hall of UTAR with 10 contestants made it to the grand finale. However, one of the contestants, Sushi Lim pulled out of the competition due to personal issues making only nine finalists competing for the title.

The special guest , Yean with his mentor as well as the judge of the night performing their song released recently. (Picture adopted from J-On)

Well-known local singer, Christopher Lay, UTAR Music Club consultant, Soong Hoong Cheng and local singer Fan Yan Fu were invited to be the judges of the competition. The performers of the night included singer Yean, previous UTAR Karaokay Competition winner Max Lam, UTAR Dance Crew, Cross V and so on.

Issac Foh, 20, the chairperson of the event said that the compettition aimed to search for the potential singers as well as provide a platform and opputunity to those with singing talent to perform.

The night started with energetic performances from the nine finalists before they proceeded to solo performances. The competition was divided into two rounds where the contestants had to perform a classical song in the first round and fast-paced song in the second.

After all nine of them performed for the first round, four contestants were eliminated, with five other successfully advanced for the top five. The five were Noel Tan, Wendy Ooi, Chew Shern Hui, Wayne Low Jun Ying and Cheong Hui Ting.

The second round of the competition having the contestants strived to give their best performance. They rocked the stage with the songs chosen respectively and successfully brought the atmosphere to the max.

Chew Shern Hui was eventually announced as the winner with his final song from Mayday “Love-ING” after he successfully convinced the judges with his stable vocal and outstanding stage charisma.

Meanwhile, Cheong Hui Ting was named the runner up with her final song “First Day” from Stefanie Sun and Noel Tan Xin Ngoh was named the first runner up with the “Dancing Queen” from Jolin Tsai.

Wayne Low Jun Ying, on the other hand, was awarded the contestant with best popularity after receiving the highest poll from the audience as well as Facebook users. He was initially expected to be one of the top three but the hope shattered when he forgot his lyrics in performing the final song.

Teoh Kok Wei, 24, an Advertising students who attended the event said he enjoyed the show overall but at the same time felt that there were still room of improvement as there was time he felt bored about the show.

Powerful Voice: Chew rocks the night with his second song" Love-ING". (Picture adopted from J-On)