Tonight, the first semifinal of the Dutch Junior Nationaal Songfestival 2005 takes place. Five participants sing for two final tickets. In next week's second semifinal, another couple will be selected for the final. Out of all songs and singers that didn't qualify, the jury will select one extra participant. The show starts at 19:55 on Nederland 2.

First semifinal
Unlike previous years, the national selection takes place in the Utrecht Central Studios, instead of the Pepsi Stage Theatre in Amsterdam. The show will be hosted by Tooske Breugem, who also hosts the German edition of Idols. The participants;

1. Angelo – Slapeloze nachten (Sleepless nights)
2. Tjindjara – Blijf jezelf (Stay yourself)
3. The Smilies – Als je lacht (When you laugh)
4. Mitchell – Jij bent alles voor mij (You are everything to me)
5. Tess –Stupid (Stupid)

Jury and selection
Jury members Manuela Kemp, who participated in the semifinals of the 2004 Nationaal Songfestival, singer Kim-Lian van der Meij, radio DJ Sander Lantinga and actor Antonie Kamerling, a junior jury and the televoters will decide which two songs and singers proceed to the final, on 24th September.

Last year, wildcard participants Klaartje & Nicky won the national selection and represented the Netherlands in Lillehammer.

Online
The show will be available online through uitzendinggemist.nl, a special site to watch Dutch public television programmes, as from tomorrow.

Get the album!

Click here to obtain the album with all songs of the 2005 Junior Nationaal Songfestival.