Kumu launches digital singing competition

THE POPULARITY of livestreaming has turned the whole world into a stage, where a room transforms into a studio, and a smartphone becomes an entire camera crew. Creating content and sharing one’s talents and skills is more accessible. And with the growth of performers showcasing their talents online, the livestreaming app has launched Sing for the Stars, an all-digital international singing competition.

Kumu — launched in 2018 — currently has more than 10 million registered users from over 55 countries.

“Kumu is the home of musicians,” Kumu founder and CEO Roland Ros said in a statement. “Through this competition, we’re discovering and highlighting new voices on a world stage in a unique and brand-new way.”

Unlike most singing competitions, Sing for the Stars participants need not travel to a studio to perform as setups are done from their respective locations.

The stars that they are singing for are the judges, which include four-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bublé, and Tony award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga.

“For many people, it’s a rare opportunity to get to perform for and learn from global superstars like Michael Bublé and Lea Salonga,” Mr. Ros said. “Sing for the Stars is the most inclusive talent show ever because talents can audition, perform, and win no matter who or where in the world they are.”

The livestreaming singing competition is open to all aspiring musicians and artists. To join, they must download the Kumu app on Apple App Store and Google Play, create an account, and find the Sing for the Stars campaign page and click the “How to Join” tab.

The contestants must choose a song that showcases their musical/vocal range and hold a live stream performance. They must rise through the leaderboard by gaining as many virtual gifts from the audience as they can. The audience sends virtual gifts which have corresponding points to their favorite performers: “Shine” (500 points), “Bright” (1,000 points), “Encore” (5,000 points), and “Superstar” (10,000 points).

The tallying of scores will be on March 8, and the Top 100 performers will move on to the next phase. Another tally is scheduled on March 12, shortlisting the Top 30 performers (they will receive Maono microphones with studio headsets). The Kumu Music Team and Warner Music Philippines will then select 15 performers to be part of the show.

The Top 11 will move on to the final leg of the competition, while four will compete to secure their last chance to enter the finals. The second runner-up will win a cash prize of $2,000; the first runner-up takes home a cash prize of $4,000; and grand champion will take home a cash prize of $10,000, a one-year record contract with Warner Music, and their own mini-concert inside the Kumu app, plus a one-on-one coaching session with Mr. Bublé.

“We’re really hoping to find talented, breakthrough artists who embody our core values of positivity and authenticity,” Mr. Ros said. “[The] show isn’t only about creating a stage for our singers, it’s also going to be a way to activate community support and rally music lovers on the app to come together.” — MAPS