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Caudwell Children Launches ‘Time to Shine’ 2019 Singing Competition

Caudwell Children, the charity behind The Butterfly Ball, arguably the world’s most exclusive charity event, is looking for a new singing sensation to join them at this year’s Ball being held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Mayfair, London, on Thursday 13th June, 2019.

Launched in 2007, The Butterfly Ball has quickly established itself as the ‘must attend’ event in the calendar of London’s glitterati, and attracts worldwide media attention and a host of A List celebrity guests.

With intimate musical performances in the past from the likes of the late Whitney Houston, to living legends such as Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John, Tina Turner and Gary Barlow, charity bosses say The Butterfly Ball is not simply a fundraising event, it’s an extraordinary show of outstanding quality.

And now the charity, which provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, is once again on the lookout for an exceptional singing talent to perform at the Ball.

The charity launched ‘Time to Shine’, a competition that rewards one lucky winner with a place on the bill at the much coveted event, at the 2018 Butterfly Ball. 

27-year-old Katharine Slater, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Staffordshire, was delighted to become the first ‘Time to Shine’ title holder after being selected by a prestigious judging panel comprising of singer, and TV personality, Peter Andre, Boyzone band member Mikey Graham, and the singer, actor and TV presenter Johnathan Wilkes.

“I was stunned to find out that I had won,” exclaimed Katharine. “It was a bit surreal and I couldn’t believe such a well-respected panel had chosen me, I was extremely flattered.”

And now Katharine, who works in Events at Keele University, is urging singers to enter the competition this year. She said: “If you’re thinking about it I’d say 100% do it. I almost didn’t! I saw it on Facebook on the day of the deadline and I thought, you know what I’ll just give it a go and if I don’t get it I haven’t lost anything.”

Katharine, who sang a cover version of Christina Perri’s hit song A Thousand Years, says that you don’t have to do anything fancy to enter the competition. As she explained: “Some of the other entrants last year had really professional videos, of them in a recording studio or live in concert, but I just did it in my living room, sat down on the floor, with the phone propped up on something so that it could get the shot of me.

“I uploaded that onto the charity’s website and that won me the competition, so you don’t need to worry and feel that you have to go all out with your performance, you just need to learn your song, and perform it well, and who knows it could be your time to shine!”

Peter Andre says it will be a memorable experience for the lucky winner. As he explained: “I’ve hosted The Butterfly Ball on a number of occasions and it’s a sensational evening.

“The acts are top draw and the audience of over 700 corporate, high net worth and celebrity attendees, from the world of sport, TV and film, are always highly appreciative of the musical performances. It will be a night that the winner will never forget.”

Last year’s celebrity judging panel will once again choose the winner from a shortlist of five top entrants. As Mikey Graham explained: “Obviously we’ll be looking for a great voice from the top five but we’ll also be hoping to hear some originality. It would be fantastic if we discovered a brilliant singer who doesn’t sound like everyone else.”

Johnathan Wilkes says those entering the competition should think seriously about the song that they choose to perform. He said: “You need to pick a great song but you may want to choose one that isn’t a classic. If people know a song really well they may find it difficult not to compare your performance to that of the original.

“You also need to make sure the song is in your range so that you can nail every note. And, just as importantly, you need to practice until you can sing the song perfectly, without any hesitation.”     

Once the winner has been chosen they will then be invited to a rehearsal, in May 2019, where they will perform their song in front of senior Caudwell Children staff.

“To perform the song of your choice at such a prestigious event, and in front of such a fantastic audience, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Trudi Beswick, CEO of Caudwell Children. “We can’t wait to welcome our ‘Time to Shine’ winner on to the stage at The Butterfly Ball, it’s sure to be one of the highlights of the evening.”

To enter the competition simply complete the online entry form by Friday 27th April, 2019.

Entrants must be 12 years of age or older and each person/group can only enter the competition once. Your entry must be the song that you would like to perform at the event.

You can enter Time to Shine at: www.caudwellchildren.com/timetoshine/

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