A group of Ballarat musicians is being supported to achieve their goals in the music industry as part of a new music recording program.
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Twenty Ballarat musicians that form 11 acts will have the opportunity to record an original song in a professional recording studio and participate in a promotional photo shoot as part of City of Ballarat's youth music development program Sonika.
Sonika Program youth leader Lucy Timms said the recording opportunity would provide young and upcoming musicians with a glimpse into a professional music career.
"Working in a professional studio is a lot different to recording in your bedroom or at school," she said.
"This will give the artists a glimpse into a more professional career. The next time they have to pay for time in a recording studio as a professional act they will be prepared and confident."
Musicians and bands involved in the program will be able to use their professional recording to upload to Triple J Unearthed, iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud.
Working in a professional studio is a lot different to recording in your bedroom or at school.
- Lucy Timms, Sonika youth leader
All recordings will be compiled onto a Sonika Records album. The album will be released for sale to the public at an album launch party where artists will also perform live at Karova Lounge on August 18.
Each song will also be entered into a wider competition with councils and schools, with an ARIA-style awards night to be held later this year.
Ms Timms said it was an exciting journey as a young musician, but it could be challenging to know how to take the next career steps in Ballarat, like making the jump from playing in the bedroom to live venues.
"This recording opportunity is trying to provide resources to take that next step," she said.
On the bus to the recording studio in Melbourne, participants will explore music industry tips on marketing and networking, booking gigs, self-management and performance planning.
Members of the group are a diverse variety of ages and music genres, some as young as 12 while other acts have been performing for some time.
City of Ballarat youth engagement and events officer Tabitha Rickard said female representation in this year's Sonika program was strong.
"We have been pushing for improved balance in gender," she said.
"In the past few years there has been a majority of male participants. In 2015 program there were 40 males and not one female. There was 30 per cent of participants female last year and even more balance this year."
READ MORE: Celebrating women in the music industry
The new Sonika Records music industry program is replacing the Push Start Comp/Battle of the Bands that is no longer running state wide.
Anyone can attend the all ages Sonika Records event at Karova Lounge on August 18 to buy copies of the Sonika Records album and hear the artists play live. Tickets are $5.
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