Search is on for best musicians in province

EASTERN Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC) has launched its Provincial Music Talent Search, with those who enter in line to walk off with a lucrative recording deal worth more than R1-million and R20 000 in cash.

Auditions for the long-awaited talent search started on Saturday at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The quest is commissioned by the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

ECAVC director Sy Ntuli said: “We did not get as big a number as we expected. However the quality of those who came to audition was really good.”

After Nelson Mandela Bay, the auditions moved to the Humansdorp Cultural Centre on Sunday where the numbers improved. The talent search is open to solo artists – both vo- calists and instrumentalists – from the Eastern Cape between the ages of 16 and 34.

“We are looking for highly talented artists, not just your average singer or someone who can hold a note,” Ntuli said.

The adjudication panel is made up of Umhlobo Wenene FM music compiler Gqiba Nkonki and AlgoaFM presenter Mio Khondleka.

The first round will select three to five contestants each from seven districts who will qualify to go to a three-week camp to be held in East London

“The three who make it through to the next round will be contacted by phone and we will try and track where they are so we can capture the excitement on Bay TV, which will be broadcasting the event,” Ntuli said.

The next round of auditions will take place in Queenstown on Saturday.