Some 150 young performers, including talent from overseas, had a strong showing over the two-day auditions for this year's ChildAid charity concert.

They include a group of four singers from Misi Bagi Bangsa school in Batam, Indonesia, who took a ferry here yesterday. They performed We Are The World, the 1985 anti-famine anthem.

Group member Fevrier Eunike Wewengkang, 11, said: "We were a bit nervous at first, but we kept calm and tried our best. I'm so happy that we made it through the audition and I think we'll get in."

Tesalonika Purba, Adelaine Kezia Sianturi and Valentinus Metodian Madu Senda, all 12 years old, completed the quartet.

Sharon Huang, 15, a flautist, said: "I picked up the flute because my dad also plays it. I hope that I'll get in so that I can invite my family to watch me perform."

In the auditions, many talented children showcased their abilities in singing, dancing, emceeing and playing musical instruments.

They faced seven judges, including leading singer-songwriter Dick Lee, prominent musician Indra Ismail, the first Campus Superstar winner Ng Chee Yang, The Straits Times news editor Marc Lim and Business Times arts correspondent Helmi Yusof.

Mr Indra said: "It's sometimes challenging to work with children because they are very active, but it's also rewarding. They listen, they practise hard, and they want to be in the show."

This is the 13th edition of ChildAid, organised by ST and BT.

The concert benefits ST's School Pocket Money Fund, which gives an allowance to children from low-income families, and BT's Budding Artists Fund, which gives financially disadvantaged children opportunities to explore the arts.

For the first time, the concert will have Lee as its creative director.

ST's Mr Lim, who is co-organising chairman of the concert, said: "The auditions have been very good and there has been a diverse mix of performers."

Results will be known on July 30.