Are you a young person aged 13-19 interested in composing, sound production and making your own music?
Following on from the success of our first ever series of Masterclasses in 2020, this year we returned for a brand new series of free, virtual New Music Labs - with a twist! Each of these interactive lab sessions have been created with, and will be delivered by, young people.
With their help, we've brought together some of the most exciting professional composers, music creators and producers to share their experiences and expertise with you. Curated to cover a wide range of approaches to composing, session topics include production and recording from home, classical composition, creating music for video content and YouTube, making music with Ableton Live and even how young people can collaborate to make a musical!
These events have passed now, but you can watch the recordings below. We hope you enjoy them!
Home Production and Recording
Monday July 19th, 5pm
With Carlos Eiene and Safi
This session will help you tap into the world of the American/Filipino multi-instrumentalist and online content creator Carlos Eiene, who produces jazz arrangements of video game music for his YouTube channel insaneintherainmusic.
The Q&A, led by Safi, will demystify the process of home production and recording, as well as open up conversations around working in the world of online composition and how to make it out there.
Creating Musical Drama
Tuesday July 20th, 12pm
With Kate Whitley and Prince
Composer and pianist Kate Whitley is currently working with a group of young people to produce ‘The Endz’, an upcoming musical drama exploring gang violence.
In conversation with Prince and several other young composers involved in the project, Kate will elaborate on the process of gathering ideas from young people, inspiring them to compose and workshopping lyrics, offering a behind-the-scenes look at this topical musical drama.
Ableton Live Introduction
Wednesday July 21st, 12pm
With Mel Uye-Parker and Haydar
This session will provide a general overview of music production software Ableton Live, offering a close-up look at some features of the software.
In collaboration with young glitch producer Haydar, music-maker and educator Mel Uye-Parker will process some of Haydar’s samples and works-in-progress on Ableton Live, providing a quick but fascinating introduction into music production with this industry-standard software.
Compositional Workshop
Thursday July 22nd, 12pm
With Judith Weir and Maddie
This session will be a live a workshop of three pieces composed by three young composers who attended the 2020 Sound and Music Summer School.
The session will bring these young voices of composition together with Judith Weir, one of the leading composers in the UK today, as they listen to their music and discuss the composition process live.
Music Production for Video
Friday July 23rd, 12pm
With MeloZed and Sam
This session will help you learn the basics of how to approach music production for video content with upcoming young musician and producer MeloZed. Covering the process from start to finish, we will look at a snippet of a video and discover how MeloZed produces music for it. Young composer Sam will ask questions about the creative process, right through from research and making soundtracks to the final piece.
Rewatch our 2020 Masterclasses
As part of our Digital Summer School in 2020, we recorded our first-ever week of virtual classes led by some of the most exciting professional composers, artists, producers and creators in the UK.
Explore the series to learn from live coding and computer music expert Lizzie Wilson, artist and director Mella Faye, electronic composer Caro C, interdisciplinary pianist David Austin Grey, hip-hop producer Sami Baha and jazz saxophonist & bandleader Shabaka Hutchings.
Looking for more opportunities to make your own music?
Our Summer School for Young Composers is an annual, 7-day intensive residential for young composers and creative musicians aged 14-18. Led by professional composers and musicians, this unique week helps young composers develop their musical voices and skills in a creative, collaborative and supportive environment.
Our first series of masterclasses ran in 2020 as part of our Digital Summer School activity; many of the young people involved in curating this year's New Music Labs attended previously!