Final year music student Chris English has taken out the major prize at 'Resonate', the Music Industry Showcase Band Competition finals held recently at Newcastle Civic Theatre.

Chris and three fellow local musicians formed the band "Vaudeville" in August this year. The high quality of their original songs won them the major prize, worth $20,000, from a field of 60 bands. They have also reached the Australian finals of the Global Battle of the Bands competition.

Chris is in the final stages of his Bachelor of Music degree at the Conservatorium studying piano. He was one of a number of Conservatorium music students who were finalists in the competition.

For more information about 'Vaudeville', go to myspace.com/vaudevilleaus