Backing The Battle
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| MAKING SOME NOISE: Pat and Dean join the organisers in spreading the news |
U's players Dean Gerken and Pat Baldwin headed to town on Monday to back this year's Battle of the Bands competition.
The pair showed off their musical attributes at Manns' Music on the High Street as they leant their support to the competition organised by Colchester Borough Council.
It's the time of year when the Council are calling for submissions for the prestigious annual competition.
Battle of the Bands 2007 will take place on Saturday 19th May from 4pm to 11pm at Colchester Arts Centre.
The event, organised by Colchester Borough Council and now in its fourth year, has become a vital part of the cultural events programme in Colchester's live music calendar.
Previous winners include 'Shameless' in 2005 and Fuzztone Lily in 2006.
Colchester Battle of the Bands encourages local young people who are creating original music to develop their musical talents.
Colchester prides itself on the support it gives to develop musicians in the region through providing opportunities to play live, professional development programmes and mentoring.
The Battle of the Bands event aims to increase the confidence of these new bands by providing their first step to getting noticed by industry professionals, whilst helping the live music scene in Colchester and beyond.
The Borough wide competition for young local bands has proved extremely popular with the young music makers. Application Form News From Your Town
The criteria for entry to the event are that the majority of band members are resident in Colchester Borough (CO postcode) and are under 25 (proof of age will be requested).
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Bands should provide original material.
Initial submissions to the competition are subject to a selection evening held at a local community setting where young people listen to all submissions and vote for their favourites.
The top eight scoring bands go on to the final at Colchester Arts Centre on 19th May where they will play a 30 - 45 minute live slot.
The overall winner is selected at the final event by a panel of three judges active in the local music/youth scene - and one of the U's players may also be on the judging panel this year.
Prizes are awarded for first place, although all finalist bands are rewarded with the experience of playing at Colchester's premier live music venue, Colchester Arts Centre.
The prizes for the winner, include a free days recording session in a fully equipped studio, worth over £150, a free live performance workshop worth over £200 and a paid gig.
This year, an additional prize of a designed album cover, will be provided.
Interested bands should contact: Abigail Cheverst, Project Co-ordinator, Colchester Battle of the Bands 2007 on (01206) 531185/07792184806, abigailcheverst@phonecoop.coop for an application form.
To download an application form, please go to www.colchesterforpeople.co.uk - click on quick links, then latest news.
They will then need to send in their completed form and a demo CD.The deadline for applications is 16th April 2007.
