NEWCASTLE Music Week is fast earning a reputation as one of the best of its kind in Australia.
Organisers are gearing up to host what is expected to be the biggest and best event in its third year when it returns from October 22 to 29.
Developed by students from the Music Centre at TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Newcastle Music Week will start at Wheeler Place on Saturday.
Madeline Peterson, studying for an Advance Diploma of Music Industry Business, has been involved with the event since 2003 and has worked tirelessly with fellow students for the past year on the gig.
``I think we are running over 10 events this year so that covers the launch party through to seminars,'' Peterson said.
``There are over 100 students involved and there is some stuff that we start working on as soon as the last music week is finished.'' Students oversee an entire week of events and share duties such as looking after promotions, sponsorship and event organising.
One of the major attractions is A Major Music Expo which brings industry professionals together to present a program of workshops and seminars. High-profile presenters to appear this year include Australian singer Renee Geyer and rock photographer Tony Mott. Peterson said the exposure of the event had increased in the past year.
``I was at the Australasian Music Business Conference this year and I spoke extensively with people from record labels and music press,'' Peterson said.
``They were all familiar with Newcastle Music Week and said they were really impressed with the event so the exposure has really grown and that's mainly due to the Major Music Expo.'' Another attraction is The Coca Cola Expose Yourself/Let There Be School Rock grand final which will take place at Civic Theatre Newcastle on October 28.
The finale has this year attracted guest performances by Tyrone Noonan and Tambalane, which features Silverchair's Ben Gillies. ``We've got quite a few big events this year,'' Peterson said.
``We have a fair few people coming up from Sydney as well. ``We've had a lot of bookings coming from Sydney this year so we're pretty excited.'' Check out newcastlemusicweek.com for full details.
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