Uni talent contest冠军揭晓

 

The University Music Fest (UMF) saw four solo artists and groups battle it out as part of the Welcome Week events at the Walsall campus.

 

The judges decided to split the prizes between two winners - soloist Penelope Hodges, 16, from Streetly, and soul/jazz group Midnight Blue, featuring Siobhan Minehane, Stuart Madden, Joe Hodgetts, Jack Jordan and Daniel Senter, from Hinckley.

 

Penelope won studio time with Major Key Studios to have a master CD produced, plus music vouchers for her school, The Streetly School, to spend on equipment. Midnight Blue won £450 to spend on music equipment for themselves.

 

Penelope performed one of her own songs 'Promises' after she was announced as one of the winners on Wednesday. She said: "I'm ecstatic, I didn't expect to win at all, and I feel very proud. I'll definitely carry on writing and performing songs."

 

Jack, from Midnight Blue, said: "We're so pleased to have won the competition, we've worked so hard to get here so we are all really happy."

 

Steve Cooper, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music, was one of the judges. He said: "We decided on two winners in the end, because we felt that the two acts were fantastic on the day but both had different reasons to win.

 

"The day went very well indeed, and seemed to be enjoyed by all. We are looking forward to hosting the competition again next year."

 

The other judges were Jamie Little, a drummer from the UK-wide X Factor tour, Craig Fenney, who performed with Slade, and John Bunce, manager of the renowned JamHouse in Birmingham. There were also performances from University bands Kaelemeno and Psychedelic Monks, and guests enjoyed a barbecue, raffle and bar .

 

The competition, run by the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, will be taking place in 2008 and interested parties should visit www.wlv.ac.uk/umf for details.