QLD Music Festival to uncover local talent in 2017

A statewide search has been launched by Queensland Music Festival (QMF) in a bid to unearth talented young musicians in 2017.

The creation of two new festival events, On Song and Score IT!, are intended to provide a platform for creatives in the Sunshine State to gain exposure and launch their careers.

On Song is a songwriting competition initiative that encourages young musicians living in regional Queensland to enter an original track. The winner of On Song will be mentored by singer-songwriter Jack Carty, with the chance to perform alongside the MusicOz Award winner at the festival in July.

The festival event offers a valuable opportunity to refine the craft of songwriting and learn about the music industry by workshopping original songs.

Score IT! is Queensland Music Festival’s film composing competition. The initiative will challenge Queensland secondary school students to test their skills and create a unique and original composition to accompany a short film.

Compositions will be judged by an expert panel including QMF Artistic Director Katie Noonan, leading lecturers and experts from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Griffith Film School as well as acclaimed Hollywood composer and orchestrator Cameron Patrick.

The three categories for entry into Score IT! include Score IT! Junior (Years 7-10), Score IT! Senior (Years 11-12), and Score IT! Plus (Years 7-12), with the latter category involving the extra challenge of composing for specified instrumentation as well as submitting a written score.

Additionally, a year-long program of music, drama, dance performances and workshops, titled Youth Touring Program, will engage over 50,000 school students in the outback to encourage and inspire Queensland youth to take part in the creative arts.

“QMF is 150 per cent committed to providing young Queenslanders of all ages, in all corners of our vast state an opportunity to discover and hone their musical talents, whether it’s through singing, playing an instrument or creating a score,” said Katie Noonan.

She added: “QMF played a major role in kickstarting my career, and I am passionate about young musicians from Brisbane to Cape York having the same opportunities through our programs and events.”

Cameron Patrick, a highly accomplished composer and orchestrator said, “Every year that I’m involved with Score IT!, I’m constantly amazed at the calibre of the submissions we receive across all the categories.”

“The creativity and quality of the scores and the maturity of musical expression never ceases to amaze me.”

Competition entrants are asked to register and submit an entry to On Song and/or Score IT at Queensland Music Festival’s website. Entries for On Song close on Friday March 31, and entries for Score IT! close on Friday May 19.