Future Talent • RISE: Past, Present & Future Talent

Commissioned to celebrate Future Talent’s 20th anniversary, RISE showcases the work of incredible young musicians from low income backgrounds supported by the charity. I was hired to shape the musical output, including producing this album, which spans multiple genres, from Indie to Jazz, and Classical to World Music, and highlights the extraordinary depth of talent we have in the UK today.

The album comprises 10 tracks from young composers and also features the Hallé orchestra, the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain, VOCES 8, South Asian Arts UK and multiple Future Talent musicians and alumni.

Project Development:

First, I worked with the charity to shape a creative vision for the album and event, and mapped out a journey that would capture the essence of Future Talent’s legacy, while championing emerging voices.

Songwriting:

In August 2023, I led an intensive week-long album writing camp at the VOCES8 Centre in the City of London, guiding young artists through the development of original pieces.

Demo Recording:

This was followed in October 2023 by a dedicated demo recording camp, where I worked closely with the musicians to refine their compositions.

Professional Recording:

The final recording process was a multi-studio venture, with sessions taking place at School Farm Studios (Suffolk), Hook Studios (Kingston), The Nave Studio (Leeds), Bromsgrove School (Worcs), the VOCES8 Centre (London), Halle St Peters (Manchester), the Yehudi Menuhin Hall (Cobham) and my own Chocolate Box Studios.

Nitin Sawhney’s Interludes

Thanks to the strength of the work, Ivor Novello Award-winning composer, Nitin Sawhney, joined the project, composing short pieces to link the young musicians’ work together alongside a narrative about the importance of valuing human creativity, against the backdrop of AI’s rapid development.

Music Videos and Podcasts:

I offered consultation on the direction of the project beyond the album, and collaborated with film producer Andy Staples to bring the music videos to life, including a special live lounge version of Ben Abraham’s Reel One. I also recorded violinist and podcast host Izzy Judd at Chocolate Box Studios, narrating a series of ten videos titled Road to the Roundhouse, which explore the composers and songwriters behind the album.

The musicians then performed RISE live on stage at The Roundhouse in Camden on 22nd April 2025, which was hosted by Alexander Armstrong, with special guests VOCES8, Izzy Judd and Seckou Keita.