THE region’s shower singers have the chance to take their performances to the next level with the regional heats of the Karaoke World Championships.
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The Karaoke World Championships is the world’s largest and most prestigious international karaoke competition, with competitors having the chance to sing themselves to Singapore.
Tamworth Services Club, Muswellbrook RSL Club, Inverell’s Imperial Hotel and Armidale Bowls Club are all hosting heats within the region.
The regional state final will be at Tamworth Service Club on August 22.
Host Sarah Byrnes said karaoke was great for those people who were not performing professionally.
“Karaoke can give you a bit of a leg-up,” she said.
“There are a lot of people with great voices that need to get that next level of performance happening. If people are serious, they can visit the website and see the previous winners and look at the level of competition.
Organiser Donna Marks said it was a professionally run competition with performers dressing as stage performers and even including costume changes in the fi nals.
Kieran Fraser from Muswellbrook, who was the regional final winner last year, went on to be the 10th best in the world and appeared on The Voice.
“We also have people enter for a bit of fun or because they’re passionate about singing,” Marks said.
Originating in Finland in 2003 with just seven countries, the Karaoke World Championships has expanded to now feature in nearly 30 diff erent countries worldwide.
Previous Australian champions have won more than $20,000 each in cash and prizes, including overseas trips, karaoke gear, holidays, trophies and in 2008, a recording deal.
Performances have included television appearances throughout Asia and Europe, before royalty and
audiences of thousands. Australia has won the international title three times in as many years. Tamworth has run the event for about seven years and Singapore will host the world final in 2015.
Australia has regularly made the Top 5, including three gold medals and two silver.
The Australian champion wins a trip to Singapore in November with five nights accommodation,
as well as a performance package and trophy.
Tamworth Services Club will host the next heat tomorrow night then July 10 and 17, with the Tamworth final on August 1 before the regional state final on August 22.
