ABU Radio Song Festival website showcases a strong field of entries

The inaugural ABU Radio Song Festival has already attracted a strong field of entries, with more expected before the finals in October.

ABU Secretary-General Dr Javad Mottagi has congratulated the Radio Working Group for their hard work in establishing the Festival and the website and says he is confident it will become a regular highlight of the region’s musical scene.

“The interest to-date demonstrates there is a huge untapped demand for events that celebrate original, unpublished singers and songwriters from our region,” he says.

The Festival’s Project Manager Mark Hemetsberger says already 20 entries from 12 nations have been posted on the new festival website, with many more songs from different countries to come.

“The festival represents an amazing display of talented musicians,” says Mr Hemetsberger, who is Head of Marketing and Communications for Radio Australia. “I’m delighted with how well this project has come together.” 

He says the website features entries from unsigned and original artists from around the region, showing the diversity of musical talents of nations within Asia and the Pacific and providing a unique opportunity for amateur musicians to have their music heard.

“It has been rewarding to work on something that has yielded such richness in diversity and strong collaboration amongst participants. We’ve produced something that will provide amateur musicians from Asia and the Pacific more opportunities in the future.”

Culminating in finals on 11 October, the best entrants featured on the website will get the chance to fly to Seoul, Korea, to perform live as a precursor to the 49th ABU General Assembly.  Based on performance criteria of originality, vocal quality and imaging, the best live performers will be awarded first, second and third prizes.

Songs entered in the ABU Radio Song Festival can be heard at: www.aburadiosongfestival.asia and for further information people can contact:  radiosongfestival@abu.org.my.