SOUNDS OF UTOPIA
“Musical myths speak with authority about our society, its fragility, its strengths, its desires, and its limits. Music becomes a wise version of the utopian messenger, pleasing us with his account of an ideal land but also warning us, in his tones, of all the dangers.”
― Edward Rothstein, Visions of Utopia
THE CHALLENGE
Music was an essential part of daily life for the utopian society imagined by Thomas More in 1516. More’s ideas are still relevant in our modern world: listening to or creating music is a means for people to express themselves, share experiences and unwind.
Sounds of Utopia challenges music enthusiasts to choose and interpret a piece of music from the period in which Thomas More, the original utopian, lived. Choose a composition from our list and either play the piece as it was written in the 16th century, or offer your own interpretation, giving it a new creative shape or fresh sound.
WE WANT TO HEAR YOU!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
After choosing the composition and your preferred manner of playing it, you should decide on how you would like to present it. Both private and public performances of the piece are accepted.
Private performance:
Simply film yourself performing the piece and send the video to our email at music.utopia500@gmail.com. It will be uploaded to our Youtube channel making you an official participant of the Sounds of Utopia contest!
Public concert: Contact us to schedule your event on the official Utopia 500 calendar and we will help you to promote it. Film it and send the video to our email at music.utopia500@gmail.com.
Looking out for the results of the contest and track its progress on Youtube!
The deadline for submitting your videos 30th June 2016. The winners will be notified and the results will be announced in August across the Utopia 500 social media profiles.
THE CATEGORIES AND PRIZES
Participants will be divided into four different categories depending on their age and the number of musicians. There will be one winner for each category, who will be awarded with a cash prize or a fully funded trip to Portugal to attend the Folio festival in 2016.
Find more details about the contest with the list of compositions, judging criteria and more information about the prizes by downloading the attachment.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
FILES TO DOWNLOAD
MUSICAL SCORES
Dunstable
Quam pulchra es
Josquin
El Grillo
Henry VIII
If Love Now Reigned
Henry VIII
Pastime with Good Company
Josquin
Ave Maria... Virgo serena
John Dowland
Flow my tears
John Dowland
Come again
John Dowland
In darkness let me dwell
ALL INFORMATION