Scholarship reward for creating music

THE RM12,000 cash scholarship should be sweet music. That is the reward for bands taking part in the finals of the annual inter-college Justea Battle of the Bands to be held at The Curve Damansara on Dec 8

THE RM12,000 cash scholarship should be sweet music. That is the reward for bands taking part in the finals of the annual inter-college Justea Battle of the Bands to be held at The Curve Damansara on Dec 8.

Instead of the usual academic benchmark for providing scholarships, this platform was a good opportunity to reward students and develop well-rounded character through creating music.

A total of 72 student bands have registered for the auditions which are being held until Tuesday, and considering the number of entries, this year’s event, which is sponsored by Justea, promises to be simply electrifying.

It is on a roadshow now and the first audition will be held at Taylor’s University College, the founder of the inter-college Battle of the Bands.

The competition guidelines are simple. As long as you can play music and no matter how it is done, consider yourself a serious contender.

Kim playing music the electric guitar “piano style.”
“As market leaders of Green Tea, we are interested in creating leaders of tomorrow by touching the lives of young people in Malaysia through music,” said Yeo’s Justea brand manager Teh Eng Eng.

Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the Battle of the Bands has grown from strength to strength. 

Last year, there were 42 brand entries and, like previous years, only the eight top bands will vie in the final rounds.

Members of the band must not be professional full-time singers and must be enrolled in a local college or university at the time of registration.

“The band must consist of two to seven members and must be aged 18 to 25. Only one member of the band can be a non-student,” added Teh.

Meanwhile, all music and vocals must be performed live with two songs from any genre, either cover or self-composed, and an original rendition for the Yeo’s Justea Refreshing Music Award of RM2,000.

“This award is in conjunction with the Justea’s new packaging in alignment with the main theme this year, which is Satisfy Your Thirst for Refreshing Music, said Teh.

A joint organiser of the event, Salient Information Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jason Ko said through the event, they hope to provide young unheard talents an opportunity to bring out their best in music.

“With more bands taking part in the audition rounds, the event is brought to a higher level with stricter guidelines to follow,” he added.

Ko said in the final rounds, each band will have 15 minutes to perform up to three songs and they will not be allowed to exceed their allotted time. Otherwise they would be disqualified.

All band participants will be judged on the following criteria – musicianship, teamwork, composition, showmanship and overall impression.

A total of RM12,000 is at stake with the best band pocketing RM5,000 and the second best taking home RM3,000 with third, RM2,000.

Guests who attended the press conference for the Battle of the Bands at Taylor’s College, Leisure Commerce Square, were given a sneak preview of what to expect during the final rounds with last year’s runner-up Zack Kim of Korea, a final-year IACT student playing two songs on his electric guitar, “piano style.”

Kim placed his electric guitar flat on his lap and plucked the chords like as though he was playing a piano.

“I had always wanted to learn to play the piano but my parents thought I would be better at the guitar,” he said.

Ko chipped in and said this was what he meant when he said it does not matter how one play their stuff as long as they produce music that is refreshing to the ears.

For more details, visit www.myc.com.my or call 03-2710 7650.

Source : Author CHARLES FERNANDEZ charlesf@thestar.com.my, Photo by LAI VOON LOONG, The Star Friday November 24, 2006