The second annual South West Music Symposium is back again in 2005 and this year it's bigger and better. Newly named South West Sound, this exciting, week long event builds on the successes of 2004 to support, develop and celebrate the region's music and musicians and includes keynote speakers, presentations, seminars, workshops, networking opportunities and live music.
South West Sound takes place at Dartington Hall in Devon from 25-30 April and is the definitive music event for people either working in music in the region or starting a career in music - including musicians, bands, promoters, agents, programmers, music educators and community musicians.
The event has three strands to its bow: symposium, workshops and lots of live music - giving the event a festival feel to it. Each day focuses on a particular area of music - from Music Education to Rock, Pop and Dance Music - and starts with a keynote speech from experts and industry giants, including Eden Project founder Tim Smit and Marc Marot, the man who discovered Pulp, Massive Attack and Lemon Jelly.
Delegates can choose from a selection of inspiring presentations & case studies and practical workshops. There are frequent opportunities to share ideas, challenges and solutions with other musicians and industry professionals. The week includes live music by national and regional talent (including The Waterboys, Britten Sinfonia, Keedie Babb, Chartwell Dutiro, Seth Lakeman, Totnes Jazz Collective and Stephenson's Rocket, to name a few.
The new strand of practical workshops runs alongside the Symposium, adding another layer of learning opportunities. These include Songwriting Masterclasses with Julian Marshall, Live Performance Techniques with My Life Story frontman Jake Shillingford and One-to-One Music Law Surgeries with music industry solicitor Helen Searle.
Matt Griffiths, Development Director of Dartington Plus, says:
"We're delighted to be repeating the event this year, following the successes of 2004, when delegates strongly indicated the need for an annual event of this kind. South West Sound is now even bigger and better and I am thrilled that the event has this year expanded into a week-long festival, celebrating music from across the South West region."
South West Sound places cost £50 and bursaries are available directly from the following organisations: Colston Hall (Bristol), Cornwall Youth Music Action Zone, Deep Blue Sound (Plymouth), Devon Artsculture, Livewire Saltash, Plymouth Musicians Co-operative, Plymouth Music Zone, Restormel Arts (Cornwall), Remix (Bristol & Glos), South West Gig Guide and Zebedees (Cornwall).
Dartington Plus is a partnership between The Dartington Hall Trust, King Edward VI Community College and University College Falmouth – incorporating Dartington College of Arts. Funded by Arts Council England