Meisa Hosts Auditions For Una Music Showcase

Oct. 15, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association (MEISA) at the University of North Alabama is hosting its third annual UNA Music Showcase in hopes of prompting some healthy musical competition in Florence and the surrounding area and potentially uncovering the next big name in music. According to MEISA President Katie Swann, the auditions for the showcase are open to UNA students as well as anyone age 16 or older from the surrounding community. Auditions will be held Oct. 16 and 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the GUC Performance Center on the UNA campus. There will be a $5 audition fee. MEISA officers will select 12 acts to perform at the showcase Nov. 8 in front of an audience and panel of judges. The first-place winner will win a four-hour recording session at NoiseBlock Recording Studio. NoiseBlock, located in downtown Florence, is owned by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Gary Baker, famous for such chart-topping hits as John Michael Montgomery's "I Swear," Lonestar's "I'm Already There" and the Backstreets Boys' No. 1 hit "Anywhere for You." Swann said the competition has seen around 25 contestants in years past, but she hopes to see a significant increase in participation this year. "We need to be looking for people who are talented and get them some exposure," she said. "MEISA is all about making connections and networking." MEISA is a volunteer-based organization comprised of students with an interest in entertainment industry careers as well as networking opportunities and community engagement. For more information, email Swann at kswann@una.edu.