JUDGES have been announced and entries are being sought for the Cooma regional heat of the Australian National Busking Championships on Saturday April 27.

The judges are all Snowy Mountains locals - Snowy Monaro Arts Council and Cooma Little Theatre president and singer and keyboard player for The Hip Replacements, Caroline Fox; Snowy Mountains Grammar Head of Music and musician Sue Sell and former ANBC performer now fulltime busker Alex Eldred.

ANBC president Allan Spencer said he was delighted to welcome the three judges to the team for the event, which was one of seven regional heats being held around Australia in the leadup to the national grand finals in Cooma in November.

"It will be great to have Caroline, Sue and Alex onboard with us for this event," he said.

"Caroline and Sue have a great deal of experience in the music industry and Alex is now making a living as a fulltime busker. He has also recently come onboard the ANBC Committee and we are excited to have a young person who is working in the industry involved, to help us grow the brand and the events into the future."

Mr Eldred was appointed along with Mr Spencer as president, Mathieu Nolte as vice president, Mr Spencer acting treasurer, Leslie Spencer as secretary, Stephen Jackson and Laurent Steiger as committee members at the ANBC AGM on April 6.

Mr Eldred, who performs under the name EsperXD, said he was very excited to see the talent on display this year.

"As a judge who has been competing in these events previously and has won ANBC Cooma Open back in 2022, I feel having been in their position and competed as a fellow busker myself, I can provide a different perspective with my judgement," he said.

"I am looking for busking presence; someone who engages with their audience. This is important for buskers, and shows skill and flair in their repertoire and/or instrument. "

Ms Fox said she was honored to be invited to judge.

"I’m so happy to have been invited to get involved in this heat for the busking comp; to be part of a joyful and long-running event," she said.

"I will be looking for performances that stood out because they are a bit different - such as a unique interpretation of a piece of music. And performers whose passion clearly shows - they play because they love to."

Mrs Sell, who will also judge the ANBC Bombala regional heat on October 26 along with Simon Grace and Mr Spencer, said she was also excited to be on the judging panel.

"As a judge, I would be looking for artists who are passioante about their craft. This would be evident in their preparation and delivery of their performances."

Meanwhile, Mr Spencer encouraged performers to enter as soon as possible.

to assist with organisation, allocation of busking spots and prizes. Buskers will be required to perform four, 30 minute sets at various busking stations located around the Cooma CBD during the day with a presentation at Centennial Park around 3pm.

Performers who do not feel ready to compete can play on a stage set aside for non competitive performers.

"The Cooma heat will be a great opportunity for musicians and performers to have a go at busking. There are categories for primary, secondary and open, solo, duo and bands," Mr Spencer said.

"This regional heat will be relaxed and welcoming of all levels. We would love to see more locals get involved. Entry starts at just $20 and we have more than $6000 in cash prizes. Plus, winners of each category go through to the national grand finals and one busker will be gifted a recording package. "It would be great if music teachers around the Monaro encouraged their students to give the ANBC a go. Of course, we welcome performers from anywhere and already have entries from Melbourne and Sydney as well as locally."

Mr Spencer said 2024 would be a big year for the ANBC.

"We have a new committee, are actively seeking membership and will be drawing up various membership packages, are looking at an internet radio station to support our buskers and various promotions, packages and so on."

Vice president Mr Nolte said the formation of the ANBC committee had followed many years of Mr Spencer running the ANBC events on his own and would not only formalise the volunteer-run incorporated organisation, but provide support and growth opportunities.

Entry forms and more information on the Cooma event can be found at https://www.busking.com.au/