Australian High Commission launches Wantok Musik Singing Competition 2022

The Australian High Commission in Honiara is pleased to announce the Wantok Musik Singing Competition 2022.

In partnership with Wantok Musik Foundation, a Melbourne-based not for profit arts organisation and music label, the singing competition seeks the best male and female singers in Solomon Islands.

Winners will win transport to and accommodation in Honiara to be mentored by Australian music label Wantok Musik and perform alongside internationally recognised Indigenous Australian and Solomon Island musicians in January 2023.

All you have to do is upload your audition to the Wantok Musik Singing Competition 2022 Facebook Group by 9 December to be in the running to win.

To be eligible to enter you must be a citizen of Solomon Islands, a singer performing on your own, over 18 years of age, not signed to a record label and residing in one of the nine provinces of Solomon Islands.

The entry process is easy. All you have to do is:

1. Join the Wantok Musik Singing Competition 2022 Facebook Group by answering all of the membership questions and accepting the Group Rules;

2. Record a video of you singing a song; and

3. Post the audition to the group!

Your performance should include an element/s of Solomon Islands culture. You might like to perform an original song or a cover song using traditional instruments or language. We encourage entrants to be creative with their auditions!” a statement from the High Commission said.

The singing competition is part of a wider cultural program where Solomon Islands, Indigenous Australian and non-indigenous Australian musicians will come together in Honiara from 16-27 January 2023 for cultural exchange, capacity building and strengthening people to people links.

In addition to the singing competition there are two other public elements to the Wantok Musik cultural program including a free public concert on Saturday, 21 January 2023 and two capacity building workshops for aspiring musicians, one in Gizo and Honiara. Further information about these events will be available soon.

Further information about the singing competition and the Wantok Musik cultural program can be found at www.solomonislands.embassy.gov.au

The Wantok Musik cultural program is proudly sponsored by ANZ, Hatanga and Indigenous Australian construction company BYGroup.

Wantok Musik is a not-profit arts organisation and music label that represents a diverse and dynamic range of Indigenous Australian artists from the Oceania region.

The label exists to help Pacific First Nations musicians share their unique music and cultural perspectives.