YOUNG musicians in the Suffolk Coastal area are being offered the chance to take part in a battle-of-the-bands contest to fight it out for an amazing prize.

YOUNG musicians in the Suffolk Coastal area are being offered the chance to take part in a battle-of-the-bands contest to fight it out for an amazing prize.

Winners of the competition - open to bands and solo artists - will get the opportunity to work with top industry professionals, record demo CDs, and perform live on stage.

The Soundwaves Ultimate Bands Contest takes place over two heats at Woodbridge's Seckford Theatre when 24 entrants will battle it out on stage after a live performance workshop by Henry Readhead, resident engineer/producer at Summerhill Studios.

“Anyone aged 11 to 26 who is making original music in the Suffolk Coastal area and thinks they have got what it takes to succeed should definitely consider entering the competition,” said council cabinet member Mary Neale.

“Only ten bands will be selected to record a three-track demo for free at Summerhill Studios.

“One track from each band will be showcased on a new CD compilation, to be released next year, and these talented ten will also be offered the chance to attend workshops run by music industry professionals.

“Soundwaves is an exciting project that is giving Suffolk Coastal's young people the chance to fine-tune their talents and learn new skills with help from the experts.

“I hope that as many people as possible come forward both to take part in the contest and go along to the heats to see and hear for themselves the wide range of budding stars we are helping to develop.”

As part of the project, Tom Haxell, a band manager who has worked with Sinead O'Connor, Republica, We Start Fires and John Reynolds, will be holding workshops about the music industry, while Maureen Scott will be providing professional voice coaching. She has worked with Mika, Razorlight and The Subways and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.

Nigel Ball, lecturer in graphic design at University Campus Suffolk and part-time vocalist, will be discussing how bands create their identities using graphics, promotion and branding.

To find out more and register, musicians should visit www.myspace.com/suffolksoundwavesmusic or e-mail suffolksoundwaves@hotmail.com

The heats are November 8 and December 6 at 7pm and tickets cost £5 (£4 concessions) from the Seckford Theatre, 01394 615015.

Is the project a good idea? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk