placed in the top seven in last week's 1997 Ibla Grand Prize in Ragusa, Sicily.

"This is an amazing result,'' said former Cultural Affairs Officer Ruth Thomas who, with educator Eloise Furbert, accompanied the singer to Sicily for the international competition.

"Marcelle's performance, which had the audience cheering, was quite stunning,'' added Ms Thomas, who spoke to The Royal Gazette from Ragusa. "The Bermuda Arts Council and those individuals and corporations who supported her musical education can be assured that they invested wisely. Bermuda should be very proud of her achievement.'' Judges decided the final marks, announced on Sunday, were too close to award individual prizes, but Ms Clamens was one of only four contenders subsequently invited to sing in a Gala Concert before the international panel of judges, the Princess of Indonesia and other dignatories at the Baron of Ibla's Palace.