The annual conference of the National Association of Music Educators will be held at The Sage Gateshead, September 30 to October 2.

Tel: 01629 760791 www.name2.org.uk

As part of its Sir Michael Tippett centenary celebrations, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, is launching an education and community project called A Child of Our Time. Free activities for pupils in the region, taking place up to July, include choral workshops with Mike Brewer, National Youth Choir director, vocal masterclasses with distinguished soloists and gospel singing. Other events include a songwriting competition and sensory days exploring issues of citizenship and disability.

Tel: 0161 834 9644 www.chethams.com

Internationally-acclaimed concert pianist Richard Meyrick is visiting more than 70 schools across the country this year running workshops and masterclasses and performing recitals for students, parents and teachers.

The free-to-schools programme is sponsored by Man Group. Contact Bridget Fury for details.

Tel: 020 7653 6620

Email: bfury@merlinpr.com

Competitions

The TES, Apple, dbass.org, Sony and the Youth Music charity invites young people aged 18 or under to compose three-minute tracks using GarageBand, Apple’s music-making software, and downloadable samples by artists such as Faithless and Natasha Bedingfield (from dbass.org). The closing date is May 20. Tracks should show creative moulding and mixing of the midi and audio loops, as well as self-written input. Prizes include Apple hardware and software and the release of the best tracks by Sony BMG.

www.youthmusic.org.ukrmx05

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is inviting students aged up to 11, 11 to 16 and 16 to 23 to compose an “Anthem for Remembrance” by June 30.

The piece should be inspired by the musical inscription on the headstone of Hugh Gordon Langston, a violinist who died in World War I. Prizes include a trip to London, Belgium and Northern France (to see battlefields and cemeteries), cash prizes for category winners and a sound recording of the winning entry.

Email: education@cwgc.org

www.cwgc.orgeducationanthem.htm

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and Yamaha are inviting individuals or groups of songwriters aged 14-16 and 17-19 to submit two original songs for the Make It Break It award scheme by July 31 (see p26).

A judging panel, which includes Coldplay’s Chris Martin and promoter Harvey Goldsmith, will select six overall winners from 20 shortlisted songs for their originality, lyrics and melody. Winners participate in the awards ceremony with a band of professional session musicians and they and their schools receive pound;1,000 to be spent on Yamaha instruments. Contact LIPA for further details.

Tel: 01908 369253 www.makeitbreakit.org