Maroochydore, 8 June 2017: Grand final fever is in the air with school-age singers, dancers and musicians from across the Sunshine Coast preparing to battle it out at the 2017 Breakthru School Music and Dance Competition grand final being held at Sunshine Plaza this weekend.
More than 30 soloists and groups have participated in the four heats in May, with the 12 best performing acts – as voted by the public and judges – taking to the stage in the hopes of winning their share in $30,000 in cash and prizes.
Sunshine Plaza Centre Manager, Michael Manwaring said primary and secondary schools located everywhere from Caloundra to Kuluin, and Noosa to North Arm would be represented on the grand final stage.
“A total of $7,500 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs per competition category – primary dance, primary music, secondary dance and secondary music – with winners receiving $3,000 prize money for their school and $1,000 in Sunshine Plaza gift cards to be divided among the students,” Mr Manwaring said.
“Sunshine Plaza will also award a $2,000 cash prize to the primary and secondary schools that place second in each category, and a further $1,500 for the schools that take out third place.”
Mr Manwaring said after being treated to a range of high calibre performances throughout the heats, he had no doubt the competition judges would have their work cut out for them in selecting the winners.
“The students have set the bar incredibly high and with so much talent on display, it’s going to be a close competition!”
“We have a very diverse range of acts being showcased on Saturday, including hip hop and contemporary dance routines, solo vocal performances and even rock music acts.”
“It’s inspiring to see the music and dance prowess on display and the performances really highlight how talented our local young people are.”
“These students are stars in the making and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see some of their names up in lights in years to come.”
Competition judges Tegan Avolio and Liezel Vogel will oversee the performances, with the primary school grand final running from 9.30am to 11.30am and the secondary school grand final taking place from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
The following acts will compete in the grand final event:
Primary school grand final
- Brightwater State School dance group (primary dance category)
- Caloundra State School’s CalStars (primary dance category)
- Talara Primary College Hip Hop Hoods (primary dance category)
- Golden Beach State School Performance Team (primary music category)
- North Arm State School’s North Arm Marimbas (primary music category)
- The Kuluin School’s KCHAND (primary music category)
Secondary school grand final
- Beerwah State High School’s Stand Alone (secondary music category)
- Noosa District State High School’s Emma Tomlinson (secondary music category)
- Suncoast Christian College music group (secondary music category)
- Glasshouse Christian College’s Senior Dance Team (secondary dance category)
- Good Shepherd Lutheran College Dance Troupe (secondary dance category)
- Pacific Lutheran College’s Courtney Callaghan (secondary dance category)
The 2017 Breakthru School Music and Dance Competition grand final will be held at The Riverwalk Stage at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore on Saturday, 10 June, with members of the public invited to attend. To find out more, please visit www.sunshineplazabreakthru.com.
ENDS
