Guitars Unplugged auditions this weekend

BYUSA is giving BYU musicians a chance to showcase their talent at Guitars Unplugged auditions this weekend.

Individual students and bands can sign up for an audition slot in room 3400 in the Wilkinson Student Center. Auditions will be held Friday, Sept. 28 from 4–8 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The only requirement is that one member of the band be a BYU student. The students selected will play in the 'Guitars Unplugged' concert on Nov. 2.

Emily Stewart, the BYUSA executive director, said the purpose of the auditions is to scope the talent of BYU.

'We want to give people the opportunity to showcase their talents if they do have musical talents and they are in bands,' Stewart said. 'Our goal isn't to turn people away. We want to see what's out there and get lyrics approved.'

Eric Bendall, the BYUSA event lead, plays the guitar and said this event gives people the chance to share their passions.

'We want to let people come together and do something they love,' Bendall said. 'We want to let people have a chance to show what their talents are and show their love of music.'

Robert & The Carrolls, who performed at last year's Guitars unplugged, performing at The Gatsby

Bendall said students can play their own songs or acoustic covers for the auditions. The November concert will also feature a band that played at last year's concert, Robert & The Carrolls.

Brooke LeBaron, a senior from Mesa, Ariz., studying advertising, is the cellist and a singer in Robert & The Carrolls. She said participating in Guitars Unplugged last year gave the band a great boost and vision. The band is on iTunes and is hoping to release a full-length album this fall.

'We played one song last year, and it's now one of our favorite songs,' LeBaron said. 'Last year when we performed it, it had just been written and we hadn't really developed it fully. We've now been looking at specific parts, and it's helped us figure out exactly which direction we want to go.'

LeBaron also said that participating in the event gave her and the band members a chance to meet fellow musicians.

'We got to meet a lot of musicians and other groups and look at their styles and look at what else is going on in Provo,' LeBaron said. 'It was a cool opportunity. We got to network and meet with other groups, and I like that a lot.'

LeBaron said she and the band members are looking forward to being featured, and she said any budding musician should audition.

'Do it,' she said. 'It's a really great way to showcase yourself as a musician especially if you have your own music. You're playing your own music, and you're right there for everyone to see.'

More information about auditions can be found on the event's Facebook page or by calling BYUSA at 801-422-3901.