On 6th October 2024, Future Talent hosted the 'Big Meet', an exciting workshop designed to bring together young musicians from different parts of the UK. Held simultaneously in two iconic musical venues—the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal Academy of Music in London—this event was a day filled with creativity, learning, and collaboration.
October 6, 2024
In Manchester, 15 young musicians joined forces under the expert guidance of Caitlin Laing-McEvoy. The group, showcasing a diverse range of instruments from violin and piano to sitar, tabla, and electric guitar, kicked off the day with improvisation games. Through these sessions, the young musicians not only explored each other’s musical traditions but also learned how to weave those traditions into a brand-new composition. By the end of the workshop, they had created an exciting world fusion piece—each musical decision, from tempo to key, made by the participants themselves.
Meanwhile, in London, more than 30 musicians gathered for a day at the Royal Academy of Music. Helen Kuby’s morning session on performance anxiety helped the young performers harness their nerves in positive ways. Through breathing techniques and fun improvisation games (inspired by animals!), they gained confidence in expressing their creativity. In the afternoon, Lucy Armstrong led a workshop on textures and rhythms, helping the musicians shape their ideas into a three-minute-long composition.
The Big Meet was a celebration of musical talent, collaboration, and creativity, with both groups leaving their workshops with new skills, new friends, and their own unique compositions.
