THRILLED: Joi Chua and Hady Mirza are elated at being picked to sing the theme song, Shine for Singapore. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN

She will be joined by another first-timer - Singapore Idol and Asian Idol winner Hady Mirza, in presenting Shine for Singapore, penned by local songwriter Benny Wong.

An elated Ms Chua said she was honoured to sing for the nation as 'everybody should get a chance to do it'.

Accomplished local artists are usually given the honour of singing each year's song but Joi, who has been in the local scene for about eight years, never got the chance. Now, she will have her moment.

It is understood that Stefanie Sun, who has sung the theme song twice, was approached but could not fit it into her schedule.

Veteran singer Joi admits that despite her experience, she still gets 'butterflies' at the thought of performing in front of the 27,000 spectators at Marina Bay and over a million television viewers.

Fellow singer Hady, 28, who says the song reflects his personal journey as a singer, is equally thrilled at being picked.

'It's about how Singapore is where I will always find hope and fulfil my dreams,' he said.

The three-minute ballad started airing on television last night.

Yesterday, show committee chairman, Colonel Tay Boon Khai, revealed more about the hour-long show that will follow the military parade and Black Knights aerial display.

It involves almost 5,000 participants from schools, associations and clubs, including wheelchair-bound dancers and line dancers of all ages.

Also working up the crowd will be 300 cheerleaders, 300 motivators and seasoned emcees like Adrian Pang and Jean Danker. A four-minute Bay Show comprising wakeboarders, jet skis and F3000 powerboats will also set pulses racing.

The main show exemplifies the evolution of the Singapore Spirit, as the nation morphed from a fishing village to a futuristic city of possibilities, said Col Tay.

Lending his expertise again is creative director Goh Boon Teck, chief artistic director of theatre company Toy Factory.

Played out on a three-tiered stage, the show will bring performers closer to spectators.

'Everyone deserves to be a star that shines brightly in NDP 2008,' said Col Tay.

jermync@sph.com.sg

You can view the video clip of Shine for Singapore at straitstimes.com, or download it from the NDP website at www.ndp.org.sg