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Accidental talent factory: How ChildAid shaped the stars of tomorrow
The event has flourished simply by offering young talent the stage to shine.
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![[Nathan Hartono (left), 15, singing at the ChildAid concert, showcasing Singapore's young musical talents. The concert was organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, raising $335,000
for the ST School Pocket Money and BT Budding Artists funds. Last night was for corporate sponsors and invited guests, with President S R Nathan as the guest of honour and it was held at the University Cultural Centre. ]](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/straitstimes/fa66c81bc4b7a3ddab5b572faf1fc04ed3cc8cfeb5a82582a499df11c031b487?w=480)
Nathan Hartono performing at the ChildAid concert in 2005, with then President S R Nathan, and Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the seventh president of Singapore, joining him on stage with other participants.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Helmi Yusof
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The first person to ever perform for ChildAid was Nathan Hartono. In 2005, Hartono was 14 years old and dreaming of becoming a jazz singer. Eager to perform on just about any legitimate platform that would have him, he agreed to sing at a small inaugural charity concert organised by The Straits Times to raise funds for socially disadvantaged children.
He sang Pure Imagination, a song from a children’s movie about how the power of creativity can transform reality into something extraordinary. Little did he – or anyone else involved in the concert – realise how very apt that choice of song was.
