GAME MUSIC CONNECT 2014

[Talon Karrde]

GAME MUSIC CONNECT 2014 EARLY-BIRD TICKETS AND FIRST SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED

International Video Game Music Conference returns to Southbank Centre, London on September 24

Electronic Arts' Worldwide Executive of Music Steve Schnur to Keynote UK's Premier Event Celebrating the Art of Composing Music for Video Games, Speakers include composers Garry Schyman, Jessica Curry, Olivier Derivière

LONDON, United Kingdom (March 12, 2014) - Following the resounding success of the inaugural Game Music Connect conference in 2013, Game Music Connect 2014 proudly returns to The Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre, London on September 24, 2014.


Game Music Connect is for aspiring and professional composers of all backgrounds and those interested in learning about the art and craft of creating today's cutting edge video game soundtracks. Featuring interviews, practical demonstrations and roundtable discussions with some of the world's leading composers and audio directors, the first announced speakers for Game Music Connect 2014 include music industry luminary Steve Schnur (Worldwide Executive of Music, Electronic Arts), composers Garry Schyman (BioShock Infinite), Jessica Curry (Dear Esther) and Olivier Derivière (Remember Me). Early-bird tickets are available now at www.gamemusicconnect.com.


Game Music Connect is founded by BAFTA and IFMCA award winner and five-time BAFTA Original Music nominated composer James Hannigan (Transformers Universe, RuneScape, Dead Space 3, Command and Conquer series, Harry Potter series) and noted game audio director, composer (Forza Motorsport 5, X-COM, Transport Tycoon), writer (develop, Audio Media), jury chair for BAFTA's game music and audio awards, and industry commentator John Broomhall, to celebrate and explore the music of video games.


James Hannigan: "It's a huge thrill to be back for 2014 and a great honour to have such wonderfully talented, diverse and influential guests join us for the day. As promised last year, we will be covering the innovative indie game music scene this time around, as well as continuing our focus on blockbusters and the challenges of interactive music."


Game Music Connect 2014 will open with a keynote from Steve Schnur, EA's Worldwide Executive of Music. Schnur's hands-on approach with composer selection and score production has earned EA more than 50 soundtrack nominations over the last 10 years during which he has produced in excess of 100 EA soundtrack albums. With the formation of Artwerk Music Group, EA also directly signs, develops and launches artists for publishing, master recordings, sync deals and distribution.


Game Music Connect 2014 will feature a highly distinguished and dynamic line-up of international A-list music talent including:


Garry Schyman, BAFTA nominated composer of the BioShock series, Dante's Inferno and Destroy All Humans! Schyman was recently honored with his second "Outstanding Achievement in Original Composition Award" from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences for his intimate and experimental score to the blockbuster hit, BioShock Infinite.


Jessica Curry, BAFTA nominated composer and co-director of independent game studio, The Chinese Room. Curry's critically acclaimed, beautifully haunting video game scores include Dear Esther, Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs and the forthcoming Everybody's Gone To The Rapture.


Olivier Derivière, 2013 breakthrough composer of the year whose innovative scores include Assassin's Creed IV Freedom Cry, Of Orcs and Men, and Remember Me, recently awarded "Best Original Score For a Video Game or Interactive Media Award" from the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA).


John Broomhall reprises his role as host throughout the day's proceedings and two-time BAFTA award-winning composer Jason Graves (Tomb Raider, Dead Space series), Ivor Novello / BAFTA nominated composer Richard Jacques (LittleBigPlanet 2, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, Mass Effect) and Game Music Connect co-founder and composer James Hannigan will return to discuss upcoming projects and participate in new presentations.


Building on the success of last year's conference format, the day's programming will comprise of discussions with these celebrated composers and audio directors, including insights into their diverse career paths and scoring experiences, as well as covering topics such as orchestral recording, composer representation, licensed music, indie game music and practical demonstrations of interactive music. Full details of the day's sessions and other distinguished guest speakers, to include audio directors from leading developers and publishers, will be announced soon.


For more information and to purchase tickets for Game Music Connect 2014, visit www.gamemusicconnect.com.


Game Music Connect 2013 event website and photo gallery: www.gamemusicconnect2013.com/gallery.


Join Game Music Connect on Facebook.com/GameMusicConnect and follow us on Twitter @gameartconnect #GameMusicConnect

[Talon Karrde]

COOL MUSIC INTERACTIVE TO SPEAK AT
GAME MUSIC CONNECT 2014




Top Composer Agency Behind "Halo 4", "Downton Abbey", "Harry Potter", "Beyond: Two Souls", "Fantasia: Music Evolved" Joins Game Developers and Publishers at Game Music Connect

UK's Premier Event Dedicated to Celebrating and Exploring the Art of Composing Music for Video Games Returns to Southbank Centre, London, September 24

LONDON, United Kingdom (June 26, 2014) - Game Music Connect organisers today announced that Darrell Alexander, CEO of COOL Music Group, will join the prestigious line-up of speakers at this year's international video game music conference, Game Music Connect 2014, to be held at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London on September 24. An eminent composer agent and music consultant in the world of film, television, records, and video games, Darrell Alexander will provide insights into the business of representation for composers as well as recording orchestras. Tickets for Game Music Connect 2014 are available at www.gamemusicconnect.com.

COOL Music is one of the world's leading boutique composer agencies representing Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composers for film, television and video games. COOL has also been integral in the music production on hundreds of films and television series, including Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, Finding Neverland, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. as well as numerous video games such as Alien: Isolation, Beyond: Two Souls, FANTASIA: Music Evolved and Halo 4. In 2013, COOL launched COOL Music Interactive www.coolmusicinteractive.com, the interactive arm of the COOL Music Group.

Darrell Alexander will be joining round-table discussions on the ins and outs of composer representation and orchestral contracting, and will provide valuable insights into how today's successful composers stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

COOL Music also represents The Chamber Orchestra of London, one of the finest recording orchestras in the world, drawing its members from principals of all the major London orchestras, international soloists and chamber and session musicians. A previous professional violinist himself, Darrell will also lend his extensive knowledge of recording and musician contracting when Game Music Connect turns its attention to orchestral production in video games.

"Given his status as head of one of the world's leading talent agencies in the areas of film, television and games, I've always found Darrell to be wonderfully modest, accessible and down to earth," said composer and Game Music Connect co-founder James Hannigan. "A fountain of knowledge when it comes to recording and industry matters, Darrell combines all this with his great passion for music, and has a deep understanding of music for games."

Darrell Alexander joins an illustrious line-up of speakers already announced for Game Music Connect 2014, including Steve Schnur, Electronic Arts Worldwide Executive of Music, BAFTA award-winning composer Garry Schyman (BioShock Infinite), IFMCA award-winning composer Olivier Derivière (Remember Me) and BAFTA nominated indie composer Jessica Curry (Dear Esther). Details of the Game Music Connect 2014 sessions and other distinguished guest speakers will be announced soon.

Game Music Connect is created by BAFTA and IFMCA award-winning composer James Hannigan (Command & Conquer and Harry Potter series) and noted game audio director, composer and industry commentator John Broomhall (Forza Motorsport 5, X-COM), to celebrate and explore the music of video games together with the extraordinary talent behind it. Game Music Connect 2014 is sponsored by Electronic Arts, COOL Music and Classic FM. For more information and to purchase tickets for Game Music Connect 2014, visit www.gamemusicconnect.com.

Join Game Music Connect on Facebook.com/GameMusicConnect and follow us on Twitter @gameartconnect #GameMusicConnect