Rock at the Racecourse - win £500 and a day in a recording studio!

Calling all local aspiring rock stars. Do you want the chance to play live in front of hundreds of people this summer and win £500 and a day in a recording studio?

Greenham Common Trust has teamed up with the Newbury Weekly News, Berkshire Maestros and Newbury Rock School to put on a ‘battle of the bands’ themed event at Newbury Racecourse on Friday June 29.

To have a chance to perform live at the Rock at the Racecourse final event on June 29^th all you need to do is record a video of youperforming on Youtube and send the link to julian@greenham-common-trust.co.uk by Friday April 13.

The video should be no longer than five minutes long and you need to include a current photograph (high resolution jpg) and short profile of you or your band which should describe your band members, music genre, hopes, inspirations/aspirations and interests (150 words maximum).

We have put together a panel of judges from the local music industry who will shortlist your entries and your Youtube video and band profile will be on the Rock at the Racecourse page (via www.newburytoday.co.uk) for the public to vote on between Thursday May 3 until Thursday June 28. Look out for band profiles in the Newbury Weekly News, Newbury Today and the Rock at the Racecourse Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-at-the-Racecourse/170904226354314?sk=wall). Share it with your friends and family. Ask them to vote for you and get them to come and support you at the final. Your vote will count towards who will win the Rock at the Racecourse title on June 29^th.

We are also looking for local secondary schools to nominate students to fill another eight judging spaces on the panel. If you want to put someone forward from your school to be a judge just email julian@greenham-common-trust.co.uk.

The winners, who will be announced on the final night, will be awarded their prizes:

1^st - £500 and a day in a recording studio courtesy of Studio 91

2^nd - £300

3^rd - £200

Angela Turton West Berkshire Council’s schools music co-ordinator, will be helping local schools to get involved in Rock at the Racecourse as much as possible, not only to enter the competition but also to help produce the programme for the final. If your school is interested in helping to interview the finalist bands, take photographs and design the programme for the final please contact julian@greenham-common-trust.co.uk by Friday March 30^th.

Congratulations to Leanne Tucker, 17, from Little Heath School who designed the artwork for Rock at the Racecourse. She won £100 and her artwork will be included on all of the marketing and advertising for the event.

Berkshire Maestros will be providing a judge for the event and lending its expert support to make sure the event runs smoothly on the night.

Actor and musician Adam Kotz is also one of the judges and the compere for the live event on 29^th June. Adam is known for his many film and TV roles, as well as being active in the local community and music scene. He is the Chairman of the community-run venue ACE Space in Newbury and the founder of Newbury Unplugged, the long-running open mike night, as well as being a member of acclaimed Americana band Case Hardin

Leo Westby from Newbury Rock School has kindly agreed to help with providing instruments, amps and kit for the final.

The other three judges for the final so far are:

Martin Whalley - Martin is one of Berkshire Maestros teachers and has a lot of experience of playing in as well as coaching bands and teaching electric/bass guitar.

Rick Green – Sticks and Stings Thatcham – Local Singer/Songwriter and music shop owner - Is happy to promote in his shop and on his website. Very well known and respected in the local music community

Jordan Fish – Owner Studio 91 – recording studio on Greenham Business Park

Gates open for the final at 5pm for a 6.30pm start. The event finishes at 10.30pm. Refreshments and fast food will be available from the Racecourse vendors.

Tickets for the final are available now and cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for under-18s. Over 60s can get in for free. The tickets can be purchased from the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, calling the box office 01635 522733 or visiting the website www.cornexchangenew.com. Tickets will also be available on the gate.

All of the Rock at the Racecourse event details, eligibility and judging criteria can be found at www.newburytoday.co.uk

For more information please contact Greenham Common Trust’s Communications and Events Manager Julian May on 01635 817407 or email julian@greenham-common-trust.co.uk