History…

In 2005, ten school bands from around the state rolled up to Canning Vale College in a one day music event called MySick Festival. The battle between the bands saw Kwinana Senior High School emerge as the winner with Seven Oakes Senior College hot on their heels. Little did anyone realize that this one day event would grow into something far bigger.

In 2006, Twenty eight student bands plugged in their amps and showcased their rock n’ roll chops in what has become a huge new music festival, My Big Gig.

With major sponsors Kosmic Sound, Roland and Canning Vale College, the music festival was born from the idea of larger than life battle of the bands for secondary students who had a passion for music and performing. For the past two years now, after a week of heats, a ten band final has been chosen to perform in a showdown at the Fly By Night Club in Fremantle.

2007 saw 40 schools vie for that chance and now into 2008 the call is out there far and wide for more bands to get involved.

The purpose of My Big Gig is to provide students with an opportunity to represent their school doing what they enjoy, as well as gain valuable experience in performing to a live audience. A panel of judges from all aspects of the music industry take part in selecting the finalist bands as well as the winners. Having these experienced working musicians and music industry personalities is an integral part of the festival for students as it is an immediate connection to the industry in which they aspire to be part of. In past years this has included John Goldsmith Kosmic Sound Managing Director Phil Warburton of Central TAFE, Hamish Jacobsen Education Officer of WAM and front man of Stingray, Brendan Callinan Roland National Sales Manager, Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe, Marisa Spina of Cyril Jackson Senior Campus and Kim Musa, - Kosmic Sound and Lighting manager of corporate and institutional sales, Scott Adam – manager of the Panda Band, not to mention the fabulously talented Sam Bertolini, Matthew De La Hunty, Brenton Fosdike, Gary Dunn and Sarah Norton.

Competition between the bands is always fierce but at the end of the finals night after fantastic original songs and covers prizes were awarded to the following:

2007

First Place - Aquinas College with Arturo Chaos - winners of $5000 worth of equipment from Kosmic's Roland range, guest performers at Gozzy Rock 2008, the Garage Kids Ball and the Canning Show.

Second Place - Armadale Christian College with The Calling of Levi - winners of $3000 worth of equipment from Kosmic's Roland range.

Third Place - MacKillop Catholic College with Tiramisu - winners of $2000 worth of equipment from Kosmic's Roland range.

The Marketing award was presented to the band which submitted the best Band Profile - this was Governor Stirling SHS with Delusions of Adequacy - winning a 2 hour master class of business management and marketing of bands with Scott Adam - manager of the Panda Band and independant record label, Q-Stik Records.

The Encouragement award for the most Original Song - was awarded to Canning Vale College and their band Deputation - for their epic 'Fall From Grace'. This is recording facilities at Pro Copy in Morely. Keep checking out our site for updated photos and our myspace page! My Big Gig 2007 congratulates the winners!

2006

First Place – Winthrop Baptist College with Spectrum - winners of $5000 worth of equipment for their school

Second Place – Ballajura Community College with Wing-It – winners of $3000 worth of equipment

Third place – Seton Catholic College with 8 of The Best – winners of $2000 worth of equipment.

The Marketing Award was presented to Busselton Senior High School and the Encouragement Award to Ocean Reef Senior High School.

My Big Gig aims to involve all aspects of the music industry for students and to bridge pathways between secondary and tertiary options regarding music. 2008 is here, and My Big Gig hopes to be bigger than ever….