Press
May 10, 2006
Movers and shakers of the music world seek out young musical talent
Top musicians and music lovers from across the spectrum are joining forces to find the best musical talent in the country. SoundJunction (www.soundjunction.org) – the ground breaking new composing and music learning website – is launching a competition today (10 May) for young people to compose their own music, using the amazing range of online facilities.
Hip hop guru, Rodney P and Colin Emmanuel (aka C Swing) join composers Errollyn Wallen, David Horne, Jason Yarde and Tunde Jegede, in the search for Britain's emerging musical artistes.
Budding composers are encouraged to create a composition of around five minutes, using the tools, samples and sounds available on the SoundJunction website. The site is full of music - from drum 'n' bass, jazz, and West African to rock, classical and more.
Compositions can be of any style, although the judges are looking for the most imaginative ways of using the different music styles in the site. There are four age categories: under 13s, 13 to 14-year-olds, 15 to 16-year-olds and 17 to 19-year-olds.
Colin Emmanuel said: "The competition is a great way for all young people to have the chance to make their own remixes. Whether you’re into hip hop, drum and bass, classical – or all three – get online now and get composing. Imagine how cool it would be to have your piece professionally produced in the recording studio!"
The first prize includes a day in the world famous Miloco recording studios in London with Colin Emmanuel (aka C Swing), who has produced popular talents, including Jamelia, Beverley Knight and Mary J Blige (remix). He will work with the winner to produce their remix into a professional quality CD. Category prizes will also be awarded with the winners picking up their own copy of Cubase, the music production software (donated by Steinberg), so they can continue with their musical career.
David Lammy, Culture Minister, said: "SoundJunction is an impressive free resource that helps young people to experiment with music. Across the board, whether it's classical or hip hop, we're a nation of music lovers. This composer competition aims to celebrate the fact that this country has some of the most talented musicians in the world."
For inspiration, entrants should check out the website. SoundJunction has recently commissioned three new works (classical, jazz and West African), as well as six new remixes. Entrants can watch interviews with the composers and find out how the remix artists created their work – then get composing.
Entry is via the website – www.soundjunction.org – and the deadline is 10 July 2006.
Judges:
Colin Emmanuel – producer extraordinaire
Rodney P – hip hop guru and BBC Radio1Xtra presenter
Errollyn Wallen – singer-songwriter and composer
David Horne – classical composer and concert pianist
Tunde Jegede – composer and West African kora player
Jason Yarde – jazz, hip hop composer, producer, musician
Competition details:
The competition is free to enter and once created, entrants should submit their piece using the online form. Entries must be submitted by 10 July 2005. The competition is open to UK residents under 20 but anyone is encouraged to submit their compositions. Full details of this and the terms and conditions are available at www.soundjunction.org.
Notes to editors:
SoundJunction is produced by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of music (ABRSM) and has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The site launched in October 2005. SoundJunction draws on real music made by real musicians and embraces a diverse range of traditions and styles. Two hundred top musicians, teachers, students and music professionals have contributed, giving young people the opportunity to explore, discover and create music. It is easy to use and is particularly aimed at young people who would not normally have opportunities to learn about making music.
Richard Morris, Chief Executive of the ABRSM, remarks: "Since launching in October, SoundJunction has been a great success, with teachers, young people, composers, producers and musicians alike. It doesn’t matter what your experience is – the site represents an excellent opportunity for everyone to explore and make music – whatever their taste."