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Abu Dhabi 8^th October 2011:  Pearls of Mangalore, a talent troupe of Abu Dhabi successfully conducted the audition of PEARL VOICE -junior at the Arab Udupi Party Hall. It was a weekend for many, while a busy day for little contestants. The Children were busy toning their voice for the audition to put their best Konkani voice forward. Well, they really did.

“Featuring and providing a platform for the new and the talented has been our purpose, while relentlessly nurturing to give new dimension to a God given talent is our fulfilling passion. We believe that the young and little have a great role to play in ensuring a bright future of our families and our community as a whole. True to this POM slogan, Pearls of Mangalore team organized the Pearl Voice Junior professionally.

The audition started off with the welcoming the participants and their parents by Anil Pinto. He mentioned, the audition was in preparation for the Mega event of the children.  He also introduced the judges Mrs. Sylvia D’Silva , Mr. Jeevan D’Souza  and  Mr. Prakash  Martis, well known figures in the field of singing & music who need no introduction. The judges were individually escorted by little children to their judging seat on presentation of bouquets.

Team Leader Alphonse in his opening address said that, “Today’s contest is not about who wins or loses but of participation; all children were already winners, moment they enrolled for the contest.”  He thanked parents for encouraging the children and putting a lot of efforts in training them and enrolling them for the contest.  Definitely they will be good singers in the days to come.  He also stressed upon the importance of speaking in Konkani in our homes.  If our mother tongue should survive we should always speak and teach our children to talk and sing in Konkani.  He wished good luck for the participating children in the contest.  This was well appreciated by all, while one parent when asked to speak praised POM for this motivating thought which has been encouraging, personally for his child. 

The participants who took part in this category were:  Monisha Josvita Rasquinha, McLean Fernandes, Joyston D’Souza, Priyanka Mendonsa, Sheldon Fernandes, Vidisha Alva, Claton D’Souza and Jenica Pinto.  All the contestants sang beautifully and it was learnt that judges had tough time to evaluate. A few had missed very closely.  All the participants were awarded with participation certificates by Mrs. Silvia D’Silva, one of the judges.   She appreciated the way the children sang and praised them for their Konkani pronunciation.    She also appreciated and applauded the efforts of Pearls of Mangalore team for organizing such a competition which helps children to preserve the language.  Though this year participation was less, next year she expected at least hundred children to participate in this type of contest.

During the break of the first session, the parents (Ida Fernandes, Melwin Fernandes, Alwyn Mendonsa & Ronston) entertained the audience with lovely Konkani hits. 

The second session involved contest for the senior category aged between 11 to 13 years.  The children who participated in this contest were:  Alvina Mendonsa, Suzanne Vaz, Nicole Pinto, Ryan Vaz  & Marsha Menezes.

Once again all the children participated sang beautifully and they were all awarded with participation certificates distributed by Mr. Jeevan D’Souza.  Mr. Prakash Martis spoke on the occasion and also appreciated the kids participation and their mastery over Konkani language though most of the time they speak only in English.  He too lauded the efforts of POM in organizing such a talent show and encouraging children to sing and develop their talents.

The judges were presented with the mementos by members, Sybil Pereira and Roshni Lobo as a token of appreciation for giving their time to the audition in spite of their busy schedule and other commitments.

The selected four singers from each category would go to the final contest on December 2^nd to win the coveted Pearl Voice Junior award.  The day earmarked to unveil POM maiden CD titled: Amchem Sopann (Vol. 1).  The contestants selected for the next level in the Sub-Junior category (8 – 10years) were Monisha J. Rasquinha, McLean Fernandes, Sheldon Fernandes and Jenica Pinto.

From the second category (11 to 13 years) the contestants going  the next level  were: Alvina Mendonsa, Nicole Pinto, Ryan Vaz & Marsha Menezes.

Ronald Lobo another prominent member/singer of the team delivered the vote of thanks.  He thanked all the participants and their parents, the judges, media persons for their time and effort attending this prestigious contest and also praised the parents for their dedication and encouragement.  He thanked Mr. Shekar Shetty (MD Arab Udupi Group of Restaurants) for providing the party hall for this contest.

The audio systems were well equipped and were of good condition through-out under charge of Donald Pinto, a strong personality behind the Pearl Voice-junior project.

Last but not the least, all participants created lasting impression by their talent. The judges were very impressed.  Mrs. Sylvia D’Silva (one of judges) offered free eight sessions of Vocal training to all the participants.

Highlights           : Professionally conducted audition & sportive spirit of parents & children.

                                : Day to look for the Mega Event of the children- 2^nd Dec.2011. 

                                : The best exuberant personality of the judges ever.