Gaonomics

The long awaited Tenby’s got Talent finals was held tonight and there was a lot of excitement in the air. The MC for the evening was Mr Alan Crombie, the Vice Principal of Tenby International School, who according to the leaflet that the parents received at the door, has a vast experience in the performing arts, having directed and performed in over 70 theatrical productions ranging from grand opera and Shakespeare to Brecht and Broadway musicals, an outstanding achievement which is now benefitting our children in Tenby. One should say that based on his experience Mr Crombie is perfect for the job of supporting and lifting TIS performing arts to higher levels, one that has already begun with Tenby’s got Talent.

However even though Mr Crombie has played a big part as the MC tonight and during the semi-finals as a judge together with other judges such as Ms Marie Perin and Mrs Janet Clayton, it was Mr Stephen Williams, who initiated Tenby’s got Talent, and who was responsible for all the auditions. And as the story goes, already on his first meeting with Principal Ms Jane Kuok, told her that he wanted to do Tenby’s got Talent, and now only 6 months later after his first arrival at the school, his dream of having Tenby’s got Talent came true. Mr Williams has therefore been instrumental in organising tonight’s event and clearly worked very hard together with the students to get ready for this grand event. I think Mr Williams really deserves to be highlighted for his hard work, dedication and efforts in establishing the music department of Tenby International School and this fantastic show of talents. 

The show began with 7 students from the primary school and continued with 9 performances by the secondary students, 2 more than planned, as there were so many good performances that more were included in the finals. Everybody did a great job and worked hard to be the best they could be. I salute all the performers as they did an excellent job in showcasing their talents and skills, and for being so brave to get up on the stage and perform in front of a full house, which is a huge accomplishment in itself. Well done to all! And they didn’t even seem nervous but performed as if they were born to be performing and although the judges said several times that they should smile more and look as if they enjoyed what they were doing, my opinion is that these kids were very much enjoying what they were doing, but were so concentrated on doing well, that their focus was on their acts. I am sure that with more practice, the smile and expression of enjoyment will come naturally, as with more practice comes confidence, and with confidence comes a more relaxed state of mind, which will bring the smiles. I think that all the performers are winners, not only those who got 1, 2 and 3 place, as they all did really well and deserve this recognition.

For next year’s Tenby’s got Talent I think it would be a good idea to invite a panel of judges, for the finals, with more diverse backgrounds and experience in the performing arts, and in particular a judge who is a specialist in vocal performances, as from the leaflet it read that two of the judges, although without a doubt are very accomplished musicians, had experience with the same instruments piano and violin but not other instruments and vocals. The third judge is an experienced dancer, cheerleading coach and choreographer. And if possible in order to bring more nuances to the judging of who should be the winners, it would be great if the audience or the other students along the way had a vote as well, as sometimes what the judges like, may not be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the audience and the students. This is important because when it comes to finding talents which stand a good chance of success and fame, it’s what the audience thinks that matters the most.

Having said that I think Tenby International School has done an excellent job in encouraging the students to pursue their talents and to work hard at it to bring the performing arts in the school a step forward, and I eagerly await new talents to show up at the next Tenby’s got Talent show, as now the rest of the students have seen the standard of the performances and the benchmark of what they have to outperform next year to stand a chance of winning. But not knowing whether I get tickets next year, I truly hope that TIS will consider having Tenby’s got Talent in the gymnasium, so many more parents can attend and enjoy the show.