A Macclesfield arts organisation are offering the chance for a local solo artist or band to take their music to the next level.

Barnaby Bright presents Music Mash, a chance for musicians to win a bursary of £500 and an industry-led placement.

The team at Barnaby has commissioned Brighter Sound, a Manchester-based creative music charity, to work with Macclesfield music venue Mash Guru to showcase the latest musical talent in Macclesfield through an industry-led placement to support their professional development.

Music Mash is an opportunity for musicians from any genre to apply. The programme will be hosted both online and at Mash Guru on Back Wall Gate in Macclesfield.

Applicants need to be over 18 years old and can be solo or in a band with a maximum of five members.

Unfortunately, due to social distancing measures bands with six or more members can not participate.

The band also needs to have a connection to Macclesfield.

There will be three strands to the programme. Each band will receive tailored mentoring sessions with music professionals. They will learn about performance and stagecraft, audience development and how to develop an identity as an artist.

Stephen Morris, drummer with New Order and Barnaby Festival patron, says: "As a former struggling musician from Macclesfield, I know how difficult it can be to understand what being in the music business actually means and getting anywhere in it can be a complicated and confusing affair at the best of times and especially now in the digital 21st century.

"I have to say that the Barnaby Bright/Mash Guru collab is a really brilliant idea. After months of lockdown here is a chance for the next generation of bands and songwriters to get out and play and learn how music works in the post-COVID world."

Successful applicants will each receive a bursary of £500 to invest in progressing their career and growing their audiences.

Additionally, each applicant will receive support on recording their music live, working alongside videographers and live streaming specialists.

The team will help the young talent to record a gig from Mash Guru, which can then be used as a promo.

All applicants will be selected based on their suitability and there are a total of four placements for individuals or groups of up to five.

Applicants must be available from June 24 until the end of July 2021 to participate.

Tim Chatterton from Brighter Sound says: "Brighter Sound is really excited to be working with Barnaby Festival and Mash Guru to offer this professional development opportunity to Macclesfield musicians.

"We can't wait to hear the musical talent that Macclesfield has to offer and to get started with this programme of bespoke advice and guidance which will help the four selected acts build an audience, hone their performance skills and develop their identities as performers. And of course to be back in a venue again listening to some great live music!"

Jane Birch from Mash Guru says: "This collaboration between Brighter Sound, Barnaby Bright and our venue Mash Guru is an incredible opportunity for artists in Macclesfield and the surrounding area. I have looked at the programme and what they learn is so valuable - as BB King says 'The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you'."

The commission has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.

To apply, please tell the programme a bit about your and your music and why you feel you'd benefit from taking part in the programme. Any young Macc musicians who wish to enter should do this either by submitting a written application form or submitting a video or audio file.

The deadline is June 6 at 11pm, so interested talent should not hesitate to apply.

Are you eligible to apply? Or do you know a talented young musician that can?

More information and how to apply can be found on this webpage.

Barnaby Bright is part of the Barnaby Festival collection of midsummer COVID-safe events that will take place this June around the summer solstice in the historic spaces of Macclesfield town centre.

Social distancing will be monitored carefully. For full programme information and ticketing please look on Barnaby Festival's website.

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