Emerging singer songwriters have been given the opportunity of a lifetime through Bundaberg Regional Council’s Spark Starter project and are set to perform at upcoming major events.
After putting the call out for musicians aged 15 to 25 to join the development program, eight talented local acts have been selected from throughout the region.
The musicians recently took part in their first of a series of mentoring sessions which, thanks to a Touring Queensland Quick Response Fund, will include development opportunities from promotion to songwriting.
And it also offers paid gigs with the first one kicking off this weekend at Childers Festival.
Council’s Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth congratulated the successful Spark Starter applicants, with the program providing a fantastic opportunity for exposure at local events.
“Congratulations to those who were selected as part of the project,” Cr Learmonth said.
“Through this program, Council aims to showcase young musicians and offer them a platform to perform to wider audiences while boosting their skills and focusing on professional development.
“With tens of thousands of people attending our famous Childers Festival alone, this is a wonderful opportunity for local emerging artists to gain a high level of exposure and experience.”
As part of the project, participants will work with project coordinators to showcase their performance talents, attend workshops with industry professionals, network with likeminded people, work within the industry and fast track their career pathway.
Securing Arts Queensland funding for this project ensures accessibility to free workshops and guarantees paid performances for the participants at Council’s major events including Childers Festival and Taste Bundaberg Festival.
Childers Festival will be the for the maiden event for the emerging musicians who will perform in two locations at the event:
• Below Childers Arts Space from 11 am
• In front of the Courthouse in Crescent Street from 9 am
Musicians will each perform two 30-minute sets during the day, finishing at 3.30 pm.
The Spark Starter project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
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