Celebrating Young Canadian Christian Music Talent

On Saturday, June 7 at St. David’s Church, in Maple, fourteen young bands and solo artists aged 13 - 30 competed in the first annual Radio Maria YES! “Give Me a Voice!” music competition. The event was sponsored by HMWN Radio Maria, a Toronto based English Catholic Radio Station. Radio Maria YES! (Youth Evangelizing and Serving Christ) is the latest initiative from Radio Maria.

Featured during this event was a special guest performance by Canada's award winning band, Critical Mass. The lead singer, David Wang, gave a very inspired and insightful keynote talk on the importance of supporting and nurturing young Christian talent so that it can flourish. The five judges for the competition consisted of four well known musicians: John Dawson, Susan Hookong-Taylor, Ana Da Costa, David Wang and Dante Alighieri high school teacher and youth minister, Robert Quaglia.



The fourteen finalists were the following groups/singers: Mirian Sielicka, Rosette,Rachenne and Raisa, Kathleen and Ryan Dunn, “The Sign”, “The Baby Dingos”,Maria Sutton, Nicholas Gordon, The MacHams. Jeff Jonusaitus, “Youth Connection”, JP Sunga, Michelle Pereirra, Chris Bray, John Rugosi and Adam Volpentesta. All the contestants proved very well that there’s a lot of creative musical talent among our young people.

The winning group was The MacHams who received a prize of $1000. They sang two of their own songs, “Keep Your Faith in Him” and “Lift Me Up”. As well as receiving a top prize from HMWN Radio Maria, the MacHams have been invited to perform in Midland, on July 19, for the WYD Regional Celebration. This four day event from July 17 to the 20th is being organized by the Office of Catholic Youth. Second place went to Chris Bray who performed his own “You Set Me Free” and “Hallelujah”. Kathleen and Ryan Dunn finished third. They sang their own composition, “All I Want” and “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe.

The real winners of the contest were all the performers and the audience that supported the event, allowing young Catholic singers to express themselves through music and media. They represent some of the names that will define future Christian music in Canada and around the world.

Click here to download / listen to an interview with First Place winners 'The MacHams'
and second place winner Chris Bray.

The MacHams (First Place winners