Young musicians invited to compose original music inspired by Shakespeare

Primary schools across the country are invited to compose an original piece of music as part of a competition launched in conjunction with Shakespeare Week.

The Composition Competition, organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in collaboration with Birmingham Conservatoire, invites schools to create a musical masterpiece in celebration of Shakespeare Week, which this year has a music theme.

Children can create a soundscape for the Forest of Arden, a lullaby inspired by the fairies from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or a magical melody for the witches of ‘Macbeth’ – in any musical style or genre. Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, has developed a bank of resources to help schools with their musical masterpieces.

Entering is easy. Children should compose a piece of music inspired by Shakespeare’s plays and characters lasting no longer than four minutes, and submit an MP3 recording along with any lyrics by Friday 28 April.

Five winning entries will be chosen to participate in a musical workshop and perform a professionally arranged version of their composition alongside musicians from Birmingham Conservatoire at a celebration concert on 21 June. For details and terms and conditions, see www.shakespeareweek.org.uk/competitions.

Richard Shrewsbury, Learning and Participation Manager, Birmingham Conservatoire said:

“Birmingham Conservatoire is committed to developing partnerships – such as this one with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – which allows us to provide new and inspiring experiences for young performers, with music acting as a tool for engagement, as well as social and cultural change.

“Shakespeare is intrinsic to our shared history, but can often be difficult to access at such a young age. Working with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, we are able to introduce the Bard’s wonderful stories in a unique and creative way that will enhance cultural understanding among primary school children.

“Five winning entries from our Composition Competition will have the opportunity to perform a specially arranged version of their composition alongside musicians from Birmingham Conservatoire in June and, in the meantime, we can’t wait to hear what schools up and down the country prepare for us to listen to.”

Shakespeare Week was launched by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 2014 as a way to share and celebrate Shakespeare’s work, life and times with every primary school child in the country. Now in its fourth year, Shakespeare Week 2017 provides teachers, home educators and families with free resources and ideas to teach Shakespeare across all subjects in the national curriculum including numeracy, geography, and computing.

This year’s celebration is supported by new patrons – world renowned classical musician and Birmingham Conservatoire Principal Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, and award-winning children’s author Marcia Williams.

Shakespeare Week has also gone digital with ‘Mission Shakespeare’, a free online interactive challenge for children to take their Shakespeare learning beyond the classroom.

About Birmingham Conservatoire

With over 24,000 students from 80 countries, Birmingham City University is a large, diverse and increasingly popular place to study. The University puts students at the heart of everything it does, giving them the best opportunities for future success.

About Birmingham City University

With an acclaimed history dating back to 1859 and part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham Conservatoire is one of the most respected music education institutions in the UK, devoted to the training of highly talented musicians in performance and composition. In March 2016, HRH The Earl of Wessex became the Conservatoire’s first Royal Patron.

About the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the independent charity that cares for the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites in Stratford-upon-Avon, and promotes the enjoyment and understanding of Shakespeare’s works, life and times all over the world. Established by Act of Parliament in 1891, the charity runs formal and informal educational programmes for people of all ages.

The Trust holds the world’s largest Shakespeare-related museum and archives open free to the public, a collection which is designated as being of international importance. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust receives no public subsidy or direct revenue funding; it depends on income generated through the support of visitors, donors, volunteers and Friends.

For more information, visit www.shakespeare.org.uk or follow  social media at Twitter ShakespeareBT and Facebook ShakespeareBT.