Singers and Song Contest finalists

JAKARTA (JP): Members of the judges' committee of the Indonesian Teenage Singers and Song Contest l996 have appointed five young and talented singers as contest finalists.

Among the finalists are Manahan Hutauruk from Jakarta, Samsara Kriswanto and R. Herry Sujoko from Surabaya (East Java) and Khalfia Hairin and Ayu Giri Anjani, both from Bandung (West Java).

The judges -- consisting of famous musicians and singers such as Purwa Tjaraka, Bens Leo, Trie Utami, Imran Amir and Eddy Susilo -- also selected five distinguished song compositions, including Gelora Imagi (Passionate Imagination) by Manahan Hutauruk from Jakarta, Yang Hilang (The Lost One) by Ade Iman Syarif from Garut, West Java, Bintang Jatuh (The Falling Star) by Adhita W. from Jakarta, Kenangan Kita (Our Memory) by Yasser F. Fabanyo from Malang, East Java, and Ku Ingin Kau Tetap Bersama (I Want You to Stay) by Rulli Hastomo Aji from Jakarta.

The grand final of the contest will be held at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Sept. 29 and will be broadcast by Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV).

The contest, which was discontinued six years ago, is aimed at grooming talented singers and song composers among local youth, said Purwa Tjaraka, chairman of the organizing committee.

This year, about 1,402 teenagers are taking part in the contest and 2,306 songs have been submitted to the committee, said Purwa.

In the past, the song contest was organized annually by Prambors radio station. (raw)