Information will be sent to schools and local collection centres including main libraries in the coming weeks and the Official Entry form can be downloaded at www.basildonconcord.rotary1240.org (which also has photos of last year’s event). The Eastgate Shopping Centre will have information available too as well as promotions with young musicians at the weekends, leading up to the final heats in June and July. Closing date for entries is 15th May.
The age range has been extended to cover all young musicians up to age 18 – the classes being split into junior (up to 11), middle (up to 14) and senior (up to 18) which gives better opportunities for all.
New this year are ‘Vocal Solo’ classes for male and female. They will not be run like the TV Talent Shows but purely on their singing performance. Dr Stanley Hewitt, Chief Adjudicator for the event said: “There are plenty of very good singers in the Basildon district who don’t feel good enough to do the Pop Idol kind of contest, but will certainly do very well in our singing competition where judging is purely on their singing.”
Players of amplified instruments get their own Jazz, Rock, Pop (JRP) competition on June 14th held in partnership with The Bromfords School, Wickford and Wickford Rotary Club. Chris Hart is organising this event and commented: “Bands are being catered for with the ‘Battle of the Bands’ on 15th March at the Towngate Theatre, so this JRP Event will be a great way of judging the best soloists in addition to the bands we’ll be hearing.”
In fact, all instrumentalists are eligible to become the Overall Winner of the Young Musician competition and whoever wins will go forward to the District Finals at Chelmsford Cathedral on February 28th 2009.
Two marching bands are also being featured, in readiness for a Basildon Marching Band Competition for UK Bands next year.
Young composers including those who are studying music GCSE can submit their compositions to a separate class event with prizes.
“We hope to have over 100 entrants this year”, says Mike Beecher, event organiser of BYMY for Basildon Concord Rotary Club, “and Eastgate Centre have joined as main sponsors to provide new trophies and big cash prizes, along with last year’s sponsors, Echo Newspapers, Gateway FM and Basildon District Council’s Cultural Services at the Towngate Theatre.
"Already, quite a few local businesses are keen to show their support and the “Excel” Coach company run by Wickford businessman Graham Hayden will be sponsoring all the publicity flyers and syllabus booklets. I taught him music years ago at Beauchamps High School and it’s great to see people coming together to help our creative young people.
"Ultimately, we would like to see a regular Arts Event for the District as we are getting a lot of involvement from the other local Rotary Clubs, and so we are showcasing dance groups and drama from young people with support from Basildon Rotary Club at the Gala, as well as Visual Arts work of local people with the help of START, CHASE and BAT organisations.”
News Flash!
Enter NOW for The Basildon District "Rotary Young Musician Of The Year 2008"
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