Overview

Now in its seventh year, the GEMS FIlm Scoring Summer Program is a professional immersive experience, bringing together amazing, creative students from all over the world, to study, work and record with award winning music industry specialists in Composition, Orchestration, Production, Music Business, Working in the Industry and Orchestral Live Recording.

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Participants will receive 12 days program available in person or online or your personal combination of both, with our award winning Hollywood Instructors, including a 61 piece orchestral recording of their composition with Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television, RTVE! Spains number one orchestra.

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The complete GEMS Scoring Full Program is a professional immersive experience spearheaded by Hollywood A list film composer Christopher Young. Maestro Christopher Young is returning to teach his fantastic, exciting and dynamic  Film Scoring Program. Amplified by leading Hollywood A list specialists, tba. The A Team! Christopher Young is also all Professor & Instructor at USC teaching in the world renown Screen Scoring program.

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A once in a life time opportunity to meet, work and be mentored by Christopher Young and many other Composers and Industry Professionals to help develop your professional career. Without doubt, its going to be our best program yet!

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What does the program offer?

This intensive program covers the entire creative arc for scoring for film and visual media. Participants will receive  Composition and Score Preparation program, Video Game Scoring program, Orchestration Program, Film Music History, Guest Talks and conclude the program with a massive 61 piece Orchestral Recordings from an internationally Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television RTVE!

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Who should apply?

FILM SCORING
Participants attending this program will want to learn new and additional composition and orchestration craft skills from an A list Hollywood Composer Christopher Young, and our program Instructor, Dr. Juanjo Molina. Participants are keen to create a memorable main title during the program. Be DAW proficient. Looking to be guided and exposed to a whole range of scoring, orchestration and recording techniques for different style main titles and cues. Learn about the process of working with top Hollywood Composers. Experience industry standard workflows, collaborations and best practices delivered by award winning specialists. Network with fellow global composers. Record with Spains most prominent Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television RTVE. Be mentored by Christopher Young. Discover professional career development options, such as our Hollywood Composers Residency, to further your career. Above all, tell a story through music.

ORCHESTRATION
Participants attending this program will want to learn new and additional orchestration craft skills and apply these techniques to both your own work or other composers work. Looking to be guided and exposed to a whole range of orchestration techniques for film and visual media.  Experience industry standard workflows, collaborations and best practices and meet and network with like minded composers.  Composers are guided through the Orchestration. It includes individual score reviews of your composition you will record with RTVE, to prepare your score and parts for score submission.

 

GAME SCORING

Participants attending this program will require an interest in Scoring for Video Game, and keen to create memorable game cues. Will want to learn new and additional compositional  craft skills. Have an interest in composing, using combat, action, aleatoric techniques. Gain insights in to the specific software required and the process of composing and recording for Video Game. Understand working for a Video Game studio, client, director, producer. Participants who would like a critic of their music, and experience Video Game industry standard workflows and best practices.

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FILM MUSIC HISTORY
BBC Broadcaster and Silent Film Composer Neil Brand presented his fantastic, bespoke and insightful nightly programs, opening up historical film scoring major events by the major studios, composers and directors.

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MUSIC BUSINESS

Want to meet your next manager, your agent, your public relations team, or music supervisor, then look no more, as we bring you the best music companies and industry professionals right to you here on the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program. Who explain their professional roles, relationships and services with composers such as yourself, what they look for in a composer and share how they do it. It's AMAZING, and just the A list Muisc Industry networking you will need.

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COMPOSER TALKS

Composers, performers and conductors will join us to give talks on their creative workflow, career development, insights and tips on work life balance, working with directors and producers, scoring, working partnerships with the orchestra and the orchestrator, women in film, career longevity and what you need to succeed. 

ORCHESTRAL RECORDING

Strictly limited number of places available on the full program with the 61 piece orchestral recordings.

Participants looking for 61 piece orchestra live recording experience. Composers who are aiming to tell prospective clients, producers and directors that they have had successful experience with recording live. Can demonstrate a high quality professional recording, and how well they executed the workflow, with the orchestra, the conductor, and producer. Participants are aiming to develop their portfolio for college applications, scholarship applications, share with producers and directors, or to secure contracts. Participants looking for experience working with Spains highest profile Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television RTVE and who want to gain ideas and best practices from this fully professional experience. Composers are offered to gain experience conducting a large orchestra to a click track. Currently, due to Covid regulations Conducting the Orchestra is unavailable, however, restrictions may change as we move towards the summer.

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What to bring

Enthusiasm, Passion, Originality! You will also need experience in music theory. Have ideas about composing for Film, Game & Visual Media. A laptop with a DAW installed, Sibelius recommended. An optional midi keyboard. Examples of your music for your Christopher Young Mentor Session. faq software

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What's Included

GEMS Film Scoring Program
GEMS Christopher Young Film Scoring Program
GEMS Dr. Juanjo Molina Composition Program
GEMS Dr. Francesco Menini Score Preparation Program

​61 Piece RTVE Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television Recording
Your Digital Recording
Full copyright and ownership of your recording
Access to all additional MasterClasses or Talks
Awards · Certificates
SpiderMan 3 · A3 score cue signed Christopher Young
Mentoring 1 on 1 session · Christopher Young
Official Program T-shirt
Official Program Photos
Official Video of your RTVE Orchestral Recording
Lunch with a Tutor
Flamenco Party

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Outcomes

FILM SCORING

Once successfully completed, you will be able to focus on song form and create memorable main titles. Have best practices for faster composition methods and greater understanding of notation techniques and instrumentation selection. Be able to locate, identify and access your creative arsenal. Be mentored by Christopher Young and use this experience and guidance to further develop your professional career. Grow your network with fellow composers, guest speakers, faculty and the orchestra.

ORCHESTRATION
Once successfully completed, participants will gain an intimate knowledge of, and familiarity with, the sonority, range, and unique dramatic aspects of all major orchestral instruments. This will provide them with the additional skills needed for a successful career composing and orchestrating for film, series, game and visual media.
 

VIDEO GAME SCORING

Once successfully completed, participants can focus on incorporating compositions using combat, action, aleatoric techniques. Have transferable compositional skills from game to film.  Understand the affects of adaptive music on your compositions. Further understanding of Video Games software composition options. Understanding compositional diversity for Video Games. Meet and network with like minded composers. Use this experience to develop your professional career towards working in Video Gaming.

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ORCHESTRA RECORDING

Participants will complete the program with a Professional 61 piece Orchestral Recording of their original composition  with RTVE, created during the program or bring in their own composition to record. This is a first class accompaniment for your professional portfolio, allowing you to share with prospective clients, producers and directors your abilities to work with a professional orchestra. Additionally you may wish to use this opportunity to pitch for contracts offering a live 40 piece orchestral recording, for a main title, short or cues, elevating your work from conventional sample library recordings, whilst helping finance your recording. This will require a different licence with RTVE.

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Message from founder Nigel Ashley Lees

I am proud to welcome you to the 2023 GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program. Our GEMS program provide the contemporary composer with an immersive experience that gives you opportunities to grow creatively, develop new craft skills, meet like minded musicians, study with established composers, in an enthusiastic, enjoyable, safe and purposeful program.

Each year we are improving your creative experience. This year, we are proud to announc our third year partnership with RTVE, a truly unbelievable opportunity to have your composition recorded by Spains national Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish Radio Television RTVE to give you a full professional experience and canvas upon which to compose.  A magnificent 61 piece orchestra, allowing participants to composer for a big sound main title or any of their own compositions. 

 

Secondly. to support this, after Covid, we are bringing back world class film composer, to continue our vision of broadening and facilitating the complete writing experience.

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Thirdly, we are advancing our established Music Business element of the summer program, supported by massive global industry professionals and companies who are at the heart of managing the music industry.

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Finally we are launching our Hollywood Composers Residence. An amazing opportunity to put you and your music in the heart of Hollywood.

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This is the perfect starting point for musicians, composers, performers & producers, who want to explore scoring for Visual Media. We look forward to welcoming you to Spain.

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In English
The GEMS Film Scoring Program, Spain will be delivered in English. You will need the ability to speak, understand and work in English. Bi-lingual Faculty support will be available during classes, mentoring session, and orchestral recording.

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Itinerary

Please note, Online Class times are currently being scheduled. Dates, tutors and all program details are subject to change

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Lunch Times

The lunch schedule will be set on the first day of the program

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Program Location

Spain

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Recording Location

RTVE

Teatro Monumental
Calle de Atocha,
65 Madrid 28012
España

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Recording Schedule Times

The recording schedule on July 25th, 2023, will be set on the first week of the program.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees and deposits can be made by bank transfer or via our website in the Tuition Fees tab.  See FAQs for full details.

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Individual Programs · GEMS Members

Due to limited time, participants on the full GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program are prioritised for all one-on-one sessions. Returning GEMS composers and participants on individual programs, could be offered a one-on-one mentor session or one on one score review, dependant upon availability.

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Covid 19

Covid guides and protocols at the dates of the program, will apply to the in person program, the classroom environment, the orchestral recording, lunch with the tutor, the Flamenco night, and all other Covid 19 general practices.