JAMIE SINGS TO VICTORY IN AYLESBURY’S ANSWER TO X FACTOR

Aylesbury’s Market Square rung with the sound of young talent last Sunday as Aylesbury’s Young Pop Star competition took place. 16 year old Jamie Walker from Berkhamsted eventually took the title after a tense sing off against Rebecca Brown, also 16.

The Judges, Adam Morris of Mix96, Olivia Jane, a professional singer, and Helen Sanderson-White, a vocal coach, had a difficult task in narrowing down the talented field. As well as the two finalists, two other contestants caught the judges’ ears on the day. They were 12 year old Soheila Clifford and 13 year old Ebony Webster, who proved their potential for future pop careers in impressive style.

Jamie was thrilled with the result. “This was the first time I have entered a competition like this, so it was an amazing feeling to win. I really enjoyed performing to the general public and am delighted to be able to help The Pepper Foundation as well.” Jamie’s winnings included a generous £100 cash prize, as well as a further £100 donation to a charity of his choice, which he announced as being The Pepper Foundation, supporting terminally ill children in their homes. All the contestants performed two songs and Jamie included one of his own compositions, "Out of the Blue", which went down well with the audience. He hopes one day to become a successful recording artist and plans to study music at university after he leaves school.

STN Music, who organised the event on behalf of the Aylesbury Town Centre partnership, were very pleased with the success of the competition, and were nearly overwhelmed with entries. The standard of competition was very high, and the organisers were impressed with the performances of a lot of the entrants, considering their young ages. It just goes to show how high the level of young talent is in and around the Aylesbury area!

The competition certainly proved extremely popular on the day, with Market Square packed full of spectators. Some visitors and entrants in the competition had travelled considerable distances to take part, one competitor having come from as far away as Cheltenham.