THE MARCH SESSION IS NOW CLOSED, BUT ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR COMPOSER RESOURCE 4. For full entry details click here!
To watch the March Session live on 20 March please contact us
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See how it works! Click here to see the films, follow the scores and read about our most recent Composer Resource session.
Introduction
Composer Resource is a revolutionary new way for composers of any age and any ability to develop their music writing skills by working on their ideas with the help of some of the best musicians in the world: members of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
The idea is not to choose the 'best' compositions, but to allow anyone to have an equal chance of being selected for the Composer Resource sessions. Participants for a session will be selected randomly from all entrants who have met the Presentation Guidelines (see below).
How the Composer Resource sessions will work
Three times a year a small ensemble of Philharmonia musicians will meet in a recording studio to play and rehearse new music. The pieces will often be 'works in progress' so that the feedback from the musicians can help shape the development of the music. Think of it as a living sketch pad for testing new ideas - you don't need to send in finished pieces. In fact just a few basic ideas or textures would do. Each piece will be rehearsed for about 15 minutes and the sessions will last approximately 3 hours.
The Composer Resource sessions will be broadcast live online and selected composers will login to watch the webcast from home or school anywhere in the world. The musicians will be able to talk directly to camera, but there will also be someone there typing up their comments in a Live Chat facility. You will be able to respond, ask questions and talk to the studio through the Live Chat which the musicians will see on a screen in the studio.
Recordings will be made so that following each session people will be able to review the session and composers will be sent a CD of their piece being rehearsed. Music that is not selected for a session can, if you wish, have written comments made on it by Philharmonia musicians.
Entry to the Composer Resource is free!
Presentation Guidelines
The only requirements for entry are that the music submitted must be your own work and that it is prepared using a computer notation package. This will enable us to be sure that the musicians have no trouble reading the music during the session. Of course, the music may have mistakes or inconsistencies in it, but finding these is a part of the Composer Resource and as long as the music is clearly presented they will be able to work on it.
If you do not have any music notation software, you can download Finale Notepad for free from www.finalemusic.com
How to Register
If you are not already a member of The Sound Exchange, you will first need to register: click on the 'register' link in the left hand navigation bar and be sure to tick to subscribe to the Composer Resource mailing list.
If you are already a member of The Sound Exchange: log in, go to 'My Account' and tick the box to register with the Composer Resource (remember to click 'save changes' at the bottom of the page.
As a member you will then be able to access full details on how to get your music to us, the instruments available in Composer Resource sessions, relevant dates, details on how the sessions will take place and regular updates on Composer Resource issues.
You can also ask any questions in The Forum.