Past Program Highlights
GEMS
2022
The GEMS 2022 summer program is getting back to normal. With the Covid restrictions gradually being lifted came the growing safety of our participants, faculty and guests. This allowed us to blossom and bring more in person classes and events we so love with composers from all over the world.
This year also meant we were now able to got 65 on the floor for the orchestral recordings with RTVE, an absolute jewel in the crown for GEMS and the composers taking part, to record with one of Europes best orchestras.
Check out the 2022 GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program!
Past Program Highlights
GEMS2022
Pete Anthony
Legendary Hollywood Film Orchestrator Pete Anthony is back with more of his unbelievable orchestration program. Petes teaching and communication is effortless, cool, calm and so valuable. His experience and knowledge has changed the way composers approached orchestration in relation to scoring before they recorded with RTVE Orchestra.
"GEMS takes care of you"
David Cerquetti
Marco Beltrami
The fantastic Marco Beltrami and Buck joined us from Marcos studio for a fantastic talk and look around the studio, including the amazing things they build for inspiration, including this scull they found and the sound it made, which inspired a certain score! wow Brilliant composer, Brilliant friends, Brilliant team.
"Such an incredible program"
Liam Diethrich
Eimear Noone
Eimear Noone is a long time friend of the GEMS summer program and returned once more, to give a talk on Conducting, Game Composition and working in the industry. Eimear brought such experience, energy and fun to her talk and Q&A and made every participant feel so excited and optimistic.
"Tons of inspiration and knowledge"
Dmytro Kosynets
Air Edel Group
Maggie Rodford is the Managing Director of Air Edel. Maggie joined us once again, for her talk & Q&A on Music Supervision Artist Representation. On top of her amazing work, Maggie is also Chair of the BAFTA Archive, Heritage & Exhibitions Committee, and currently the President of the UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors.
"Memories, events, and laughter I'll never forget"
Katherina Hristova
CEV
Once again GEMS will be partnering with CEV, a world class audio visual college, and for over 40 years it has been a center of excellence and a go to destination for students aiming to work in the music industry. We are proud to be partnering once again with this wonderful institution.
“I've never felt more welcome"
Paul Schmidt
Dr. Juanjo Molina
Dr. Juanjo Molina, the lead instructor for the summer program, took the helm once more conducting the world famous RTVE, the Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish TV and Radio, for all our participants compositions, and as ever, he was flawless, creative and cool.
"I would live again these moments with all of you"
Kamil Bicgel
Student Reviews
Ukraine composer Yuliya Protasova and some of her fellow participants, sit down and talk about their experiences on the GEMS Film Scoring Program, Spain 2019
Watch the testimonial interviews here
"Such an AMAZING TEAM"
Renatto Nuñez
Mentoring
Each year GEMS students are invited to one on mentor session with Christopher Young - check out the composers interviews to hear what happened in their personal one on one with Christopher Young.
"The program was truly a life changing experience"
Ana Krstajic
Christopher Young
Award winning composer Christopher Young returned to the GEMS stage to glorious applause from all the composers and faculty. Christopher is a life long friend of the GEMS program and he brings in his own unique and wonderful way of teaching that captivates and informs the composers on the program.
"Forever grateful for the life-changing experience."
Chrysoulla Markoulli
RTVE
Our canvas was a 65 piece Orchestra with Harp! WOW! We were incredibly blessed to have our composers record their work with the fantastic RTVE, the Symphonic Orchestra of Spanish TV and Radio, recorded by RTVE Radio 3, at the legendary Teatro Monumental, in Madrid. This is the best Orchestra in Spain. Listen to the compositions and main titles here
"It´s like all my dreams came true."
Ana Beyron
Neil Brand
Neil Brand is a broadcaster for BBC Radio 4 Film Program and a Silent Movie Composer. Neil returned and taught his absolutely wonderful 4 day Masterclass covering Noir soundtracks, Sound design, minimalist scores, the click track origin, synth sounds and so much more
"GEMS were instrumental in me getting a place on the NYU"
Leia Sofia Mendez
ScoreLive Composers
ScoreLive Composer winner, two of the finalists and two runner-ups, all joined us in person and one online, this summer having participated in the ScoreLive Competition. Great competition Great Prizes. Check the their work and competition here
"Had a fantastic time"
Emil Huckle-Kleve
Native Instruments
Since the very start of the GEMS film scoring summer program, we have had the honour of being supported by Native Instruments in Los Angeles and been able to award the Komplete DAW series as amazing awards for our participants in categories such as Best MockUp, Best Composition, Best Orchestration. Check out all the winners.
An experience I will cherish forever"
Riccardo Zangirolami
Nigel Ashley Lees
Nigel Ashley Lees, is the founder of GEMS. His aim is to create exciting and purposeful experiences for musicians who are aiming to work in Global Entertainment. Each year he designs new programs where composers from all over the world can meet and have a great time together.
"I wouldn’t miss it for the world"
Jeff Markey
ScoreLive
This summer amazing composers who registered and entered the ScoreLive Competition joined us on this summers Gems Music Film Scoring Summer Program, Valencia Spain as part of their prize as the Winner, Finalists, TOP 10’s and Runner Up’s. Can't wait to hear their live Orquesta y Coro RTVE orchestral recordings they wrote and watch their videos.
"The program was truly a life changing experience"
Ana Krstajic
Garry Schyman
Garry Schyman, BAFTA winner and Nominee, closed this years Gems Film Scoring Summer Program with his excellent class on Scoring for Video Game. It is insanely good. Garry is inspirational not only as a composer but as a teacher. We are honoured to have him with us, for the final class.
"Thank you Nigel for your passion and your time"
Sergio Llopis
First Artist Managment
Alexander Vangelos returns for another talk & Q&A on Artist Managment. Alexander is the Composer Agent at First Artist Managment LA. His talk was fantastic, what First Artist Managment look for in a composer and the professional, caring relationships that they create with their composers. Some of our GEMS composers went to meet Alexander in his LA office.
"One of the best summer learning experiences I've had"
Hugh Downs
Flamenco
Each year we celebrate the end of the summer program with a traditional Flamenco show. This year was the first time we could return to a live venue after the coronavirus pandemic and wow what a comeback it was! Fantastic Live Flamenco Show, took you on a beautiful visceral journey. We loved it!
"One of the most fulfilling experiences of my life"
Matteo Maria Salvo
Women Composers
Since we began the GEMS program, each year we support the inclusion of more women composers through our contemporary women composers scholarships program. This year we were thrilled to welcome the largest number of brilliant contemporary women composers, some who were award winning composers themselves, from all over the world. By financially supporting gender equality and diversity, we are aiming to help bridge this gap in the music industry.
"It was amazing, you were so kind"
Anja Lobnik
Dr. Francesco Menini
Dr. Francesco Menini, provides support for our composers. He brings with him all the compositional and orchestration skills needed to help prepare our composers for the orchestral recording.
"A wonderful experience"
Susanna Syrjäläinen