Singers, bagpipe players and drummers are all vying for a $2000 music scholarship.
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Nine Milton-Ulladulla youth acts have made it through to the final round of The Times Australia Day Music Scholarship competition and will take to the stage on January 26 to perform in front of judges.
Singer Alannah Henkel is one of the finalists and says she has been practicing hard for the event.
The 17-year-old is preparing “two slower songs and two up beat songs”.
“We have to do four songs each this year,” Alannah said.
“I did already know the songs I have chosen but I still have to practice because it is hard.
“I have been singing since I was really little, but I only really started getting into it as I got into high school. Matt Skinner and Simon Grace, as collective, have helped me grow as a musician.”
Alannah also plays guitar, which will accompany her voice during two songs in the finals.
“I will pick up the guitar for two songs,” she said.
The Ulladulla High School student entered the competition in 2017 but, this year said she was in it for the experience, not to win it.
“Honestly, I am not in it to win it. I am in it for the experience. Winning would be great, but as long as I am on stage, I am happy,” Alannah said.
“I hope to make a career out of music. I am doing performing arts subjects at school. I am very interested in making a career in Musical theatre.
“If I did win, I would buy some equipment for performing, like a speaker.”
Alannah said standing on stage in from of people was, at first, nerve racking until she got comfortable.
“I get bad stage fright but when I get comfortable and realise they are here to watch me, I get butterflies. It is a good feeling,” she said.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Noah McKay will charm the judges and audience with a bagpipe display
The Ulladulla High School student has been learning the bagpipes for a year and a half after being inspired by his grandfather.
“My pop has been playing for 40 years and I've grown up listening to it and I thought I should have a go and now I'm hooked,” Noah said.
“I like that you get to travel and entertain people.”
Noah said he was “excited and a bit shocked” at being named as a finalist in the competition.
He is he was to win, he would use the money to assist with travel to piping workshops in Sydney during school holidays.
Noah’s father and grandfather play with the Batemans Bay Pipe Band.
The music scholarship finals will take place at South Mollymook Beach reserve from 8.45am on Friday, January 26. As well as the competition, there will be market stalls, official ceremony, fun for the family and a dog training exhibition.