A raft of new music competitions for second-level students was launched in Dublin recently, so it's time to start tuning those fiddles and cleaning that flute. The deadline for entries to these traditional music and singing contests is Thursday, October 25th.

The new competitions replace Sl≤gadh, which was the national talent trawl, organised annually by the independent Irish-language company Gael-Linn. Sl≤gadh gave young people in Ireland a chance to perform in a number of different categories. It was also the competition which gave the Hothouse Flowers their first break.

This year, for the first time, singing groups under the age of 19 are being invited to take part in Seoid and in Siansa, while a radio competition just launched is open to Transition Year students. Raidi≤ na Gaeltachta will be involved in all of the competitions.

Another new initiative is a competition for primary schoolchildren, to be called Coirm.

The final of Seoid and Siansa will be held in the Town Hall, Galway, on Friday, March 15th, 2002. Prizes of €2,000 will be awarded to the winners, who will also take part in workshops with established musicians and broadcasters.

Meanwhile, for those Irish-speakers who love to debate, the closing date for entry to the Gael-Linn debating competition is this Thursday. Gael-Linn chief executive Herman ╙ Briain says the new programme demonstrates the company's continued commitment to young people and the language.

For more information about the competitions, telephone (01) 675 1200 or visit eolas@gael-linn.ie.