Hobsons Voicesearch shortlist announced

Shortlisted candidates Jumoke, Mark, Sefa and Scott

London, 5pm

Today we’re announcing the names of the four shortlisted candidates in our competition to find and reward new, unsigned British voice talent: the Hobsons Voicesearch 2012.

After hundreds of entries and many days of listening we can now confirm the following four individuals are through to the final round of judging.

Congratulations to them all. It’s a huge tribute to their talents that they have got this far.

Mark Hulmes

Mark calls himself “the geek next door” and has worked at conventions and in regional theatre shows. He’s from Southend on Sea.

Sefa Nkyi

27 year presenter, DJ and radio assistant manager from South East London. Describes her voice as husky, young and quite deep.

Jumoke Ogunkoya

Originally from Nigeria, 22 year old Jumoke now lives in Milton Keynes. She describes her voice as bubbly, warm and husky.

Scott Frazer

38 year old from Newcastle upon Tyne who has worked as an actor for 25 years. His voice is regional, powerful and bright he says.

What happens next

These final four contestants will now go head-to-head in a series of studio shoot-outs as their talents are tested in genuine radio environments across the industry.

You’ll be able to hear how they get on over the next three editions of the Earshot Creative Review podcast.

September’s edition is out today and includes audio from their first professional challenge which was hosted by BBC producer James Stodd.

Then in October and November you’ll hear them challenged to read a commercial script at Global Radio and a package of sweepers for Student Radio at Reelworld.

Outright winner

In December we will announce the outright winner who secures a twelve-month professional artist representation contract with Hobsons, the best possible career start any budding voice artist could wish for.

Judges

The competition judges are Steve Martin, editor of Earshot Creative, Ann Dawson, client service manager at Hobsons, Jo McCrostie, head of creative at Global Radio and Clare Bowen, head of creative development at the Radio Advertising Bureau.