Hit TV talent show The Voice has returned to Loughborough College to audition students – after taking seven forward last year.
The chance to compete in the 2018 series was up for grabs as 26 young singers faced the show’s producers.
Music student Dumisani Mjojo is no stranger to auditions, having sang in choirs and played in bands in Malawi for 13 years before he moved to the UK last year.
The 17-year-old, who lives in Loughborough, said: “I did not feel nervous. The music course at the College is brilliant, I have already picked up so many skills that will help me reach my career goals. But I also think it is a valuable opportunity to audition for such a high-profile show because this industry is so competitive you need all the experience you can get.
“I am enjoying playing in a band in College and in church and have been approached to get involved in some recording. I am mainly a keyboardist and play bass but I am also getting ready to do some drumming in the College production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.
“I chose to sing Lovely Day by Bill Withers for my audition. It’s a song I feel very connected to and I think it is important to have that when you’re performing music.
“I was interested in what the judges had to say because that will be helpful to me. But I wasn’t stressed about it. If I get through, I get through. I just enjoy it.”
Kathryn McGough is also more than familiar with performing under pressure, after being selected from hundreds of hopefuls from all over the country to compete earlier this year in the grand final of the prestigious UK Songwriting Contest – which is run in association with The BRIT Trust, who are also behind the famous BRIT awards.
The Loughborough College music student was also recently given the opportunity to play piano with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for a performance at the Symphony Hall in the city.
“I write a lot of music but decided to sing Missed by Ella Henderson for the audition. I‘ve always liked the song and think it suits my voice. I did my own version, playing my ukulele rather than using a backing track.
“I wasn’t at all nervous but then I got into the rehearsal room just beforehand and suddenly I felt terrified. Obviously this is a big show so there’s pressure – although once I was in there I was fine, they really put me at my ease.
“I knew from the moment I met the music tutors and saw the facilities at Loughborough College that that was where I wanted to be. If you want a career in this industry, it’s important to keep putting yourself out there and everyone is so encouraging and supportive in that.”
Following the show’s move from BBC to ITV, the sixth series of The Voice is currently airing on the channel with judges Tom Jones, Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am and Gavin Rossdale.
Last year Public Services student Jimmy Gooch was joined by Performing Arts students Lucy Hooper, Katie Boyes and Kyara Chapman, Music students Lydia Mason and Chantelle Harvey and Events Management degree student Charlotte Yates in being selected by The Voice to take part in further audition rounds.
Pictured: Loughborough College students Kathryn McGough and Dumisani Mjojo before their auditions for The Voice