CYS invites young musicians to enter competition

THE annual Clare Youth Service Music Competition returns this year and is looking for any young musicians, beat-boxers, rappers and producers around the county to get involved.
The competition, now in its eighth year of operation, is open to everyone under the age of 21 and the organisers are hoping for as much diversity as possible in terms of styles and genres of music.
The first qualifying round will be held in the Clare Youth Service Hall, Carmody Street, Ennis on Saturday, October 16, starting at 3pm.
“Whether you play Cajun bluegrass on banjos, shred guitars on top of doom metal or spit bars over grime beats, we want to see you perform at this. Our aim is to give young musicians a platform from which to display their talents and also provide advice and mentoring for those lucky enough to progress through to the finals,” a spokesman for the competition said.
Performers must play three songs in the qualifying competition. At least one of these songs must be completely original. Five acts/performers will be selected from all the entries to proceed to the CYS Music Competition finals which will be held on Saturday, November 27 in the upstairs of May Kearney’s in Ennis.
“The competition will follow the usual format, with an initial set of qualifying heats taking place to select the five acts that’ll progress to the finals in November. Acts will be judged on originality, presence, skill, crowd reaction and professionalism,” he added.
The competition is strictly a drug-and-alcohol-free event and any infringement of this rule by any participant or member of a competing band will lead to immediate disqualification. 
Bands must submit an entry form before October 11 and the application form must include the title of the songs that the band intend to play, a photo of the band and a short biography.
Applications forms are available from Clare Youth Service in Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush and can also be requested online by emailing jlillis@clareyouthservice.org. 
The competition will be open to members of the public to attend.