By Melissa Sirrine
Students wanting to participate in this year?s Guitars Unplugged need to start fine-tuning their acts, because the auditions will be here before they know it.
Guitars Unplugged, a BYUSA-sponsored musical extravaganza, features bands of BYU students and showcases acoustic guitars.
Last year, the event brought a crowd of nearly 3,000 to the Marriott Center to hear original music from 17 local bands.
BYUSA anticipates a crowd at least this size for this year?s event, which will be held again in the Marriott Cen-ter. Plans are also under way to pre-record originals by the artists to be sold on CDs at the event, said Dan Reyes-Cairo, event lead for BYUSA over Guitars Unplugged, and a music media student.
Sign-ups for this year?s program have already begun, but students should hurry ? their last chance to get in on the action is Feb. 16.
?Students can go to the BYUSA office, the front desk, to fill out the forms,? Reyes-Cairo said. At least one member of each band must be a BYU student for the group to be eligible, Reyes-Cairo said. Also, potential performers must be willing to provide a typed copy of their lyrics.
?We are focusing on the acoustic guitar, so the highlighting feature of their band should be the acoustic guitar,? Reyes-Cairo explained, though instruments ranging from harmonicas to violins are a welcome variety.
Auditions will be held February 17 in 15 minute increments from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tanner Building. Stu-dents who sign up will be notified about specific rooms and times.
?We?re going to have various musicians and then other BYUSA judges that are going to be there for the audition process,? Reyes-Cairo said.
Hopeful students should be prepared to play their best original song for the audition, Reyes-Cairo said.
Callbacks are Feb. 24 and performers will need to be prepared with two songs for the judges ? their original audition song and another of their favorites that showcases their band?s unique style.
Additional questions about the Guitars Unplugged auditions can be directed to the Student Leadership Office at 422-3901.
| Auditions |
| What: Guitars Unplugged Auditions When: Feb. 17 Where to sign up: Student Leadership Office Last day to sign up: Feb. 16 |
