Abbey Road Studios announces Anthem Competition.

LONDON, Wednesday 9^th March 2011: The world famous Abbey Road Studios today launches a worldwide competition to find original, unsigned and undiscovered composers through a global anthem competition in celebration of the studios 80th anniversary.

The initiative will give composers of all ages and abilities the chance to record their anthem at Abbey Road Studios with the internationally regarded London Symphony Orchestra and some of the UK’s finest singers, conducted by renowned composer Eric Whitacre. Any anthem may be submitted as long as it hasn’t been published or recorded for commercial release.

The winning anthems will be recorded in the studio’s legendary Studio One, home to the recording of many of the greatest anthems of all time, from Land of Hope and Glory to the Star Wars title sequence and The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love.

An esteemed jury of professional composers including industry legends Eric Whitacre, Harry Christophers, George Fenton and Rob Mathes will choose the winning anthems. If required winners will receive assistance from leading arrangers to ensure the competition is accessible to composers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and then recorded by Abbey Road Studios engineers using world-class microphones and equipment.

Jonathan Smith, General Manager of Abbey Road Studios, said, “This competition will give composers an opportunity to have their work performed and recorded to the very highest standard. Sir Edward Elgar opened Abbey Road Studios 80 years ago with a great anthem, Land of Hope and Glory, performed then by the London Symphony Orchestra. All composers will have the chance to record their anthems in the same studio with the same world-class orchestra. It’s a thrilling prospect and a wonderful way to celebrate Abbey Road Studios 80^th anniversary.”

Eric Whitacre said, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 80 years of excellence at the world’s most famous recording studios than creating new music, giving everyone the chance to participate.   Elgar to Radiohead, Abbey Road has hosted the very best.  We want to find the great anthems of our time.  It is an honor to be involved in the selection process and to record the winning entries.  I encourage all writers/composers to submit their music; inspire us.”

The competition runs from 9th March 2011 until 15th July 2011, the closing date for entries being 15th July 2011. Entries will not be accepted as eligible after midnight on this closing date.

Competition rules and full terms and conditions apply. www.abbeyroad.com/anthem