By Tania Martin
THE stage is set to launch another budding musician into the big time with the 2008 Hills Idol competition next month.
Now in its second year, the competition promises to be fierce.
Last year’s winner, Caitlin Arnold, 14 has been singing since the tender age of nine and said any exposure was good.
Caitlin first came across the Hills Idol competition at the suggestion of one of the organisers of The Basin Music Festival. This promising young singer had won the festival two years running.
Caitlin was shocked when she was announced the winner at last year’s Idol competition.
“There were so many good people performing that it was a bit of a surprise,” she said.
Caitlin’s love affair with music began when she was just nine.
“I always liked singing and one day I was walking through a shopping centre with mum and saw a talent competition,” she said. “I decided to give it a go and won … the judges suggested singing lessons and I have been doing it ever since.”
Not only does Caitlin sing and write her own songs, but plays both the piano and guitar.
She already has 11 original songs that she has recorded and can be heard at www.myspace. com/caitlinarnoldmusic.
Caitlin said the Hills Idol competition had been a lot of fun as well as a great platform to launch her career.
She is now urging young musicians and bands to give it a go.
Idol judge and Puffing Billy CEO Eamonn Seddon said anything that gave young people the chance to break into the industry was a good idea.
A former classically training cellist, Mr Seddon said it was important to give budding artists the chance to perform in front of live audiences.
This year the Idol committee hopes to rival the 32 performances that last year took to the stage.
Entries are now open for musicians, bands and vocalists to apply for the competition until 26 September.
Musicians will then take centre stage on Sunday 12 October at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL, 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey. Caitlin will also return to Upwey for a cameo performance at the competition.
To enter, apply by logging onto www.upweybelgrave.rslvic.com.au
