A genre-mixing group of 20 young composers will perform their first headline show at one of Croydon's premier music venues next month.
Young Croydon Composers brings together musicians from a variety of cultural traditions, performing pieces they have collaboratively written specifically for the project.
The students, aged 11-19, have attended workshops under the guidance of acclaimed composer Shri Sriram where wrote three original pieces to be debuted at the Front Room.
Mr Sriram, head of music production company Drum the Bass, said: “Since we started working on Croydon Composers and talking to people about the project, we realised it would be fantastic to involve the youth of Croydon in diverse and challenging music projects.
"Young Croydon Composers will engage young musicians and help to widen their musical scope while they learn about the importance of cross-cultural interaction from an early age.
"We’re also hoping it’ll open the door to a legacy of collaboration, open mindedness and cross cultural communication.”
Shri Sriram with students at a workshop
A British Composer Award 2016 winner, Mr Sriram pioneered the Asian underground scene with his electronic duo Badmarsh & Shri and has composed and produced music for theatre, dance, and films, including Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi’
This will be Young Croydon Composers’ second performance, having made their debut at Croydon Boxpark in December.
The youngsters are members of three organisations generating music and art workshops, creative opportunities and cultural learning services: Sangeetha of the UK, Croydon Music and Arts and Music Relief.
"We want to give young musicians the opportunity of working together in new ways and to be open to composing music and understanding the benefits of it rather than focusing on skill alone," Mr Sriram said.
"We had a blast performing with the Young Croydon Composers at Croydon Boxpark in December and we’re absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity for a second show at the Front Room which will afford the musicians a platform to showcase their music to the public, to friends and family and to gain confidence and pride in what they’re doing.
"We’re all very excited about presenting Young Croydon Composers at The Front Room on March 2nd - Croydon really is a fantastic creative hub and thanks to Arts Council England and Croydon Council for supporting us and helping us explore and unearth some great local talent.”
The performance takes place on at 7pm on March 2 at the Front Room.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here