I am currently seeking the services of at least five vocalists (two sopranos, one contralto, a tenor and a baritone) to rehearse and record a three-CD album of some of my songs for international release. In mid-2008 I was in Manila, Cebu and Boracay, the Philippines, actively searching for such singers. I have since returned home to Australia, awaiting further enquiries from suitable vocalists and instructing a small number of finalists who auditioned for me during my Pinas trip. The final five singers will be selected during my next trip to the Philippines sometime in early-to-mid-2009.

PLEASE NOTE: Instructions on how to audition are outlined below. Please read it very slowly and carefully. DO NOT send me an email on how to audition! If you do, I will simply ask you to read this webpage.

You can see many of my hymns at my SibeliusMusic website (http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/tomeslam), including the thirty songs proposed for my three recordings (click on the bottom four 'books' starting from "I Give You My Life", then click on any of the song titles listed there under which have a small blue-coloured MIDI symbol attached. To hear the sheet music play, click the play button. To hear the MIDI file arrangement click on "Play MIDI file" near the bottom of the webpage). To hear the MP3 version of the song's arrangement, click "Listen to MP3" near the top of the webpage or "Download MP3 file" near the bottom. If you have a slow internet connection, right-click with your mouse and select "Save Target As...". Then choose a place in your computer where you wish to save the file.

PLEASE NOTE: The first time you attempt to view the sheet music you will need to download and install a plug-in called "Scorch" into your Internet browser. To do so, simply click the link "Can't see any music?" in red text near the top right-hand side of the screen. Once having installed Scorch, you can then play the song as mentioned above and even print the score if you have a printer attached to your PC. Internet cafes normally have such printing services also.

The best way to audition a song is to listen to the MIDI file while following the words on the online sheet music. You will notice that on the MIDI arrangements, the vocal parts are performed using a synthesized voice. This is the General MIDI voice 'oohs' and will obviously be replaced by the final real-life vocal dubs.

The demo below, "I've Been Keeping a Secret", was sung by Australian Idol 2007 finalist Miss Alana Krost. Although she sings the song in tune, she has very little emotion in her delivery. http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/mp3/4/2/5/42524.mp3

If you like the above hymn, you are invited to submit a demo tape or CD to me at the address on my Contact page. Alternatively, you may send an MP3 via email. The demo need not be particularly good audio quality.

I am also looking for first-rate songs of a religious or inspirational nature to be arranged, recorded and released on compact disc and on the Internet. If you know anyone who has composed any hymns (preferably in a modern style) please invite them to submit their pieces in either sheet music, cassette tape, CD or MP3 format to the address on the “Contact Me” page.

If you know anybody else who may be interested in this project you are welcome to pass my details on to them. I am prepared to pay a genuine AUD$500 (PHP20,000)  finders fee for any suitable vocalists you refer to me. The finders fee shall be paid to you on signing a contract with the singer(s) you refer.

At this stage, it seems that the vocal parts will be recorded sometime during 2009. The financial terms will be disclosed closer to the time of signing the contract. Vocalists will also be eligible to purchase recordings at wholesale price, which they can then sell in whichever way they like.