FLORENCE — A group of University of North Alabama students are looking for the best of the best among local musicians.

The Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association is having auditions today for musicians to take part in the annual UNA Music Showcase on Nov. 8.

Auditions are 3-7 p.m. today in the performance center of the Guillot University Center.

The auditions are open to any solo act, duet, band or other act. Participants must be 16 or older. About a dozen acts will be chosen to participate in the showcase and will compete against each other for a prize package.

Katie Swann, president of music student group, said the showcase provides exposure to local musicians. The winner of the showcase will receive a four-hour recording session at NoiseBlock studio, a recording studio in downtown Florence owned by Grammy-winning songwriter Gary Baker.

“We hope to have some really good acts this year,” Swann said. “Who knows, maybe someone from the industry will be at the showcase and hear one of the acts and think ‘we need to sign them.’ ”

Prizes also will be awarded to second- and third-place finishers.

The acts appearing in the showcase event will be judged by a three-person panel. Swann said Baker has agreed to be a judge.

“The point of the showcase is to give these acts exposure and also some experience performing for an audience,” Swann said.

There also is a benefit for the students working to organize the showcase.

Bob Garfrerick, chairman of the entertainment industry department, said the students in charge of the showcase are gaining professional experience they will likely utilize in their careers.

“The ability to put on a show and make it look professional is something these students will gain from this experience,” he said. “They also learn to be professional when dealing with talent and talent representatives because chances are they will work with them down the road.”

The showcase is a free show and open to the public.

Want to audition?

Musicians can audition for the UNA Music Showcase 3-7 p.m. today in the performance center of the Guillot University Center at UNA.

The audition fee is $5. A dozen of the acts that audition will be chosen to participate in the music showcase Nov. 8, where the winner will be awarded a four-hour recording session at NoiseBlock Studios.

Jennifer Edwards can be reached at jennifer.edwards@TimesDaily.com or 256-740-5754.