Search for raw talent

The BBC is looking for the next Dizzee Rascal, Craig David, Estelle and Trevor Nelson, and has asked Moving On Music for their help.

Moving On Music has been asked by BBC New Talent, the bit of the BBC that looks to develop raw talent across the country, to be a nominator for its new Urban Music Bursary. Moving On Music was asked to get involved because of the organisation's Northern Ireland wide remit in developing and promoting new musical talent.

Find out more about the bursary at the BBC New Talent website at www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent. If you'd like to put yourself or someone you know forward, then get in touch with Paul Brown at Moving On Music, fameacademy@movingonmusic.co.uk
by 20 May 2005.

The Bursary is open to aspiring urban music artists, producers, label bosses, promoters and managers, aged between 18 and 30. It's aimed at people who have already begun work towards a career in music, and who would benefit from a boost at this stage in their careers. In the first year, up to 20 winners will win a year long Bursary worth up to £10 000, which will give them access to music industry advice, training and a leading industry figure as their own personal mentor. A further 20 runners up will receive £1000 towards developing their career.

BBC New Talent are looking for six people from Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson from Moving On Music explains who they are looking for:

"We're looking for aspiring producers, label bosses, promoters and managers, as well as artists. We know some of these people, but not all of them for sure, so we're asking people to let us know if they think they'd be right for the scheme or if they know someone else who would be. It doesn't matter how much experience they've got; commitment, passion and potential is just as important."

Further contact details

For further details about Moving On Music's involvement in the Urban Music Bursary, please contact Paul Brown at 028 9024 8818 or paul@movingonmusic.co.uk.

For general enquiries about the Urban Music Bursary and other BBC New Talent projects, please contact BBC New Talent office on 020 874 3800.

Editors notes

1. The Urban Music Bursary is funded by The Fame Academy Bursary, which was set up by BBC Talent in 2003 to develop a means of deepening the impact of the BBC's Fame Academy TV programme. The Scheme aims to reinvest back into British music the money made from Fame Academy related record sales and phone calls.
2. The Fame Academy Bursary Scheme was launched in summer 2003, and since then has gone from a blank piece of paper to a legally constituted charity (charity number: 1101276). It has made over 300 instrument and equipment awards, worth up to £1200 each, to young people aged 11 to 15, and five large scale three year education bursaries and mentoring schemes to young adults aged between 16 and 30. To date over 4000 people have applied to the Bursary's various scheme, from across the UK.
3. In 2005, the Scheme is launching two new awards: the Urban Music Bursary, and a Junior Instrument and Equipment Award, aimed at 7-11 year olds.