The world’s a stage for Jemma

By Emma Sun
CRANBOURNE Secondary College student Jemma Harley has sung her way to the top, taking out the Best Song category in the Schools on Stage competition.
The competition, hosted by the City of Casey, featured group and solo musical performances from seven different schools.
Jemma’s solo number, ‘Miss Adelaide’s Lament’, from the school’s hit production ‘Guys and Dolls Junior’ stood out to the judges.
Judge and City of Casey councillor Bob Halsall said he enjoyed Jemma’s performance and praised her ability to connect with the audience.
“I thought she was very good – the role and the song called for someone who couldn’t sing very well and singing badly for someone who sings well is quite a feat,” he said.
“We agreed that she was really in character right from the very start and she connected with the audience, all those things that really shone through.”
Receiving an award for the Best Song category was a great result for Jemma, who has been doing theatre and productions since primary school.
She said she was very excited about the whole thing and plans to get into theatre after she finishes high school.
“When they said my name, I sort of froze for a second and I wasn’t really sure and when I went up I was blown away,” she said.
“There were so many great performances and so many talented people I wasn’t expecting to get anything – I didn’t even know there were smaller awards so it was very out of the blue.”
Director of the Guys and Dolls Junior production Susan Bergman said the school is really pleased Jemma got the award for best song.
“Jemma’s performance was fantastic, she was able to bring Miss Adelaide to life again and considering she didn’t have the build-up as you do in the musical, she did particularly well to get all the emotions out in the song,” Ms Bergman said.
“She did the school proud, as did the other students who also competed – the school is very thrilled with the whole thing.
“Our concert band will benefit because the prize was $200 of sheet music, which is fantastic.”