Youth Music is pleased to announce the launch of Origin8 a competition for  talented young musicians to create an original track inspired by artworks from the National Gallery.

Origin8 is delivered by partners Youth Music, the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters, Apple and the National Gallery. A brand new online sample sequencer tool has been developed within www.origin8.org.uk to encourage young producers to experiment with sounds.

One of the UK's leading Grime artists, Kano, is supporting the Origin8 promotional campaign and will be hosting an exclusive music masterclass for 50 finalists at Apple's London HQ.  The competition is also supported by Kiss100 FM and Kiss100.com.

The competition is hosted via an interactive website www.origin8.org.uk. M-Audio, a leading provider of creative tools for computer-centric musicians and audio professionals have supplied sample loops for an online sampling tool available at the competition website. The deadline for entries is December 15, 2007. Users can listen to eachothers tracks and rate them. The finalists will be selected by a judging panel; the highest voted tracks will also make the finals so get your pals to vote for your entry.

A total of 50 Origin8 finalists will be invited to attend an exclusive an all day masterclass in London during February 2008 half-term week. The event will be hosted by Kano and will include workshops in songwriting, production and the music business. Four band/solo artist overall winners will then be selected by a judging panel and get to work in a professional studio with the help of professional songwriters plus win some Apple kit.

Youth Music’s network of 23 Action Zones is supporting the challenge by running free songwriting and production workshops for under 18s across the country during autumn 2007.

To support the challenge, Apple are running a number of free tutor training sessions in GarageBand music production software during autumn 2007 via Music Leader. For announcements of dates and locations at Apple Regional Training Centres across the country and to book your place, please visit workforce development training site www.musicleader.net

Michelle James, Director of Marketing & Comms, Youth Music commented: "Origin8 is a great opportunity for innovative young musicians to express themselves by creating an original piece of music inspired by art. The project will be an exciting platform for showcasing dynamic new music from across the country."

Chris Green, CEO British Academy of Composers & Songwriters said: “Origin8 is now in its second year and with our partners’ support has grown beyond all expectations.  The Academy is extremely excited to give young songwriters the opportunity to get involved in our community whose work is the heartbeat of the music industry.”

E: liam.fay-fright@youthmusic.org.uk
T: 0207 902 1086
www.origin8.org.uk

_{Editor’s Notes:}

<sub>History
The Songwriter’s Academy presents Origin8 is now running in its second year. The contest’s aim has always been to give new and budding UK songwriters an opportunity to expand their skills and learn about the reality of an ever-changing industry.

Kano
Kano is one of the most respected and successful artists to emerge from London's Grime scene. His second album 'London Town' was released in September 10, 2007 and features collaborations with Craig David, Damon Albarn, Kate Nash, and Vybz Kartel.
In 2005, Kano was nominated for 4 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards, winning the award for Best Newcomer. He also won an award at the first Channel U "Best of British" Awards. On New Years Eve 2005, Kano was announced as one of "London's Heroes of 2005" by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. He was also nominated for a BRIT Award for Best Urban Act in January 2006.</sub>

<sub>PARTNERS

Youth Music
Youth Music is one of the National Lottery’s great success stories. Set up in 1999, with a remit to support music-making activities for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people, Youth Music has gone on to reach over 1.75 million children and young people, encouraging their talents, building their confidence and transforming the landscape of musical opportunity throughout the UK. The music-making supported is of the widest variety, from Hip Hop and DJing to Classical and Jazz. Youth Music occupies a unique position – distributing £10m per year of Lottery funding on behalf of Arts Council England. Despite its success, Youth Music aspires to reach out to ever increasing numbers of young people across the country. The vision is to create a sustainable environment to channel young peoples’ creativity, enabling them to express themselves and develop their skills through music. The aim is to reach 3 million young people by 2010.
www.youthmusic.org.uk  
www.soundstation.org.uk 


British Academy of Composers & Songwriters
The British Academy of Composers & Songwriters is the single voice for all music writers. With over 2,000 members, it is the recognised independent trade association for UK music creators.
The Academy recognises the unique talent of those who contribute to the songwriting and composing industry through the annual Ivor Novello, British Composer and Gold Badge Awards. The Academy’s Origin8 and Songwriters’ Academy initiatives aim to encourage emerging writers at the start of their career. The Academy lobbies at both a national and international level to protect and strengthen the value of UK music copyright. The Academy equally campaigns to create a better environment in which music writers can flourish and supports its members with a comprehensive range of services.
Academy Fellows: John Adams, David Arnold, Sir Malcolm Arnold, John Barry, Pierre Boulez, Sir John Dankworth, George Fenton, Sir Elton John, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
www.britishacademy.com 

 
Apple Regional Training Centre
The Apple Regional Training Centre programme helps teachers bring learning to life with digital technology. A nationwide network of Apple-approved Regional Training Centres (RTC) coach primary and secondary teachers in the use of Apple’s award-winning software packages — giving them the know-how to enliven school lessons with images, video and sound.  For more information or to find your nearest RTC, visit - www.apple.com/uk/education/rtc/
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.
www.apple.com/uk</sub>

_{The National Gallery
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square was founded in 1824 and houses a collection of over 2,300 Western European paintings from 1250 to around 1900. Open 7 days a week, the paintings belong to the British public and entry to see them is free. The collection includes art by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Holbein, Rembrandt, Turner, Constable, Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso. More information at www.nationalgallery.org.uk}

<sub>SUPPORTERS

M-Audio
M-Audio is a leading provider of creative tools for computer-centric musicians and audio professionals. Founded in 1988, the Company now has independent offices in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan. M-Audio is the driving force in the industry empowering musicians to create, perform and record with complete mobile hardware/software solutions that have forever changed when, where and how music is made. The Company's reputation for delivering cutting edge technology in easy-to-use, affordable products has garnered significant recognition by industry experts, including world-class artists, recording studios and magazines. M-Audio's advanced engineering and value-conscious pricing has also helped to bring the joy of creating high-quality music to virtually anyone with the desire.
www.m-audio.com</sub>