Music / Bristol Beacon
Creating a new piece of music that paints a picture of Bristol in 2020
The Bristol Beacon are asking for the support in writing new songs about the city.
A New Song for Bristol is a project that will culminate in new pieces of music that speaks to how the city is responding to 2020.
Inspired by the mass singing events held at the Bristol Beacon, then known as Colston Hall, during World War Two, A New Song for Bristol hopes to bring the city together through music.
is needed now More than ever
The public are encouraged to submit their creative responses to this historic year, which will be collected into an archive.
The submitted pieces will be exhibited upon the venue’s reopening and some of the piece will be handpicked as the inspiration for new pieces of music.
Bristol artists ,including This is the Kit, Lady Nade, Kayla Painter, Solomon OB, KALA CHNG and composer, musician and associate director of Paraorchestra, Lloyd Coleman, will use the submissions to express the city’s experience of 2020.
A host of local musicians will help create the new music. Photo of Kayla Painter: Jesse Roth
“When you read about how the city was locked down at the outbreak of World War Two and the entertainment ban, the parallels are striking between then and now,” says Cathy Mager, creative producer of Bristol Beacon’s Lantern Project. “It was heartening to learn about how the venue and its team played such an important role in raising morale.
“We want to encourage everyone to express themselves through words, music or song, to share their experiences, and keep that Bristol spirit alive. We hope that through A New Song for Bristol, we can ignite the fire of creativity in everyone and draw the city closer.”
Members of the artist collective using the public submissions will be holding creative workshops and collaborate with community groups from across the city to help them create their own submissions.
Bucky, Javeon (pictured) and Grove will also be part of the project. Photo: Plaster
“We are so excited to launch A New Song for Bristol, a project that we hope will bring joy and creativity into the hearts and homes of Bristolians,” says Julia Roderick, community, learning & volunteering senior creative producer at the venue.
“Now more than ever we need to find ways to feel connected and alive and draw on the extraordinary power of music.”
Main photo of Solomon OB: Beth Sheldrick
Read more: Three young artists working to create Bristol Beacon’s visual identity
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