Search for Festival Stars

Budding young musicians are being encouraged to audition for this year’s Sun Bear Children’s Festival.

The event at Spring Creek Reserve from 11am to 3pm on November 12 is giving performers between 6 and 12 years of age the chance to take centre stage.

Festival director Katja Nedoluha said they contacted local music school Waves Music Co last year to see if any of their students would be interested in performing.

“The Sun Bear Children’s Festival is organised by kids for kids so it made sense to have young people on stage as well,” Katja said.

“We began collaborating with Waves and Co and had some fantastic young performers entertain. Music plays such an important part on the day both on stage and during the Endangered Animal Parade.”

The Sun Bear Festival in its fourth year donates proceeds from the day to endangered wildlife organisations and Waves and Co director Chris Hay said students jumped at the opportunity.

“This year there will be about five performers. Last year the process was a little less formal but we’ve structured it this year so the kids who’ve been practicing and putting in a lot of effort get recognized,” Chris said.

“We’re really encouraging singer-songwriters and kids who write their own songs to come along and audition. I think musicians undercut themselves and the ones that are really good are a bit selfconscious. Still come in even if the songs are half-worked; we can help them tie it all together.

“Kids just have to send through an email with information about themselves, their music, how long they’ve been playing and why they deserve a spot or pop into the store and have a chat.”

To apply, email [email protected]. au or for more festival information, head to sunbearfestival.com.