SEARCH FOR A STAR: YOUNG MUSICIANS INVITED TO COMPETE IN TALENT CONTEST LIVE AT CLIFTON'S 'CONCERT ON THE CLOSE'

Applications are now open for talented young musicians to enter a Young Music Talent competition to win a recording of their own CD and apply for a bursary at one of the UK’s leading Public School’s, Clifton College. The talent contest will be staged live at Concert On The Close, one of the biggest music events in Bristol this summer, on the 6th July. The competition will form part of the evening’s spectacular line-up, giving young musical luminaries the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of thousands. The most outstanding performance will be judged by soul sensation, Jocelyn Brown, and the winner will be announced at the Concert. To enter the competition, young musicians, aged between 13-18, can submit their music videos on the Events at Clifton Facebook page, send in their demo CD or have their school recommend them. The closing date for entries is Monday 2nd July 6.00pm and wider details about the competition can be found on the Events at Clifton website: www.eventsatclifton.com. Three successful finalists will join the Concert’s eclectic fusion of classical, jazz and popular artists, headlined by world-famous soul singer Jocelyn Brown, alternative pop band, Young Kato, the UK’s hottest new girl group, Vanquish, Bristol choral groups and a classical performance by the Bristol Ensemble. Clifton music scholars, including violin prodigy and Young Musician of the Year contender, Julia Hwang, will also accompany Jocelyn Brown for a unique performance of ‘He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands’. The Headmaster of Clifton College, Mark Moore, recently announced the once in a lifetime opportunity for talented young musicians and said, “We are thrilled to provide such an exciting opportunity for young people who are committed to achieving exceptional standards in music. The bursary aims to nurture and support young music talent and will provide opportunities that will assist candidates to reach their full musical potential at Clifton. The experience of performing at the Concert in front of thousands of people with Jocelyn Brown judging the contest will be a unique and wonderful opportunity for those who make it through.” Taking to the stage the artists will unite to celebrate Clifton’s 150th anniversary and help raise essential funds to support the Prince’s Trust, Life for a Cure and the Quartet Community Foundation. The Concert will culminate in a dramatic sound and light experience written by Michael Hirst, writer and producer of the film ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘The Tudors’, and directed by Chris Hunt, producer of the Beyoncé tour. Film footage of the multi-award winning actor Simon Russell-Beale and exclusive footage of John Cleese, will be screened for the very first time at the event. Shortlisted applicants will be called for a music audition with James Hills, Director of Music at Clifton College, in the week beginning 2nd July 2012. Those auditioning will be assessed on promise as well as actual performance and the three finalists will be required for rehearsal on the 6th July. For the winner, the bursary assessment will focus on sight-reading, test of musical interest and intelligence, and aural tests. Instead of a written examination, candidates will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument, show ability on a second instrument and may offer singing as well. The bursary includes free tuition in two instruments, one of which could be singing, and a place at the School. For further information on bursary terms and conditions, please contact Fiona Hallworth on 0117 3157 440. For details about the Concert on the Close talent competition, event information and tickets, please see the Events at Clifton website at www.eventsatclifton.com. For all media enquiries, hi-res images and interview opportunities, please contact James Fenton at Firefly PR: Tel 01308 898 196 or email: [email protected]. About Clifton College Clifton College is one of England's most famous independent schools, offering continuity of day and boarding education for girls and boys from 3 to 18. Founded on the 30th September 1862, the school is one of the original 26 English Public Schools defined by the Public Schools Yearbook of 1889. The school’s ground, known as the Close, played an important role in the history of cricket and witnessed 13 of W.G. Grace's first-class hundreds for Gloucestershire in the County Championship. Other famous pupils include Field Marshal Douglas Haig, Walter Owen Bentley (founder of Bentley Motors), Sir Roger Hollis (Director General of MI5), Sir Trevor Howard, A.E.J. Collins, John Cleese and Sir Michael Redgrave. The school prides itself on its academic excellence, magnificent buildings, superb sporting and cultural facilities, pioneering spirit and high level of pastoral care in a caring and friendly atmosphere. In celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, Clifton has launched 7 new pastoral care in a caring and friendly atmosphere. In celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, Clifton has launched 7 new scholarships for girls to celebrate 25 years of co-education at the school. Full details about the school and the new scholarships can be found at www.cliftoncollegeuk.com. About Jones Lang LaSalle (Main Sponsor) Jones Lang LaSalle is a leading financial and professional services firm specialising in real estate. Following the merger with King Sturge LLP in June 2011 Jones Lang LaSalle operates from 18 UK office locations delivering an in-depth range of integrated services across all property sectors. Jones Lang LaSalle is the largest property consultancy firm in the South West with offices in Bristol, Bath and Exeter. With 2011 global revenue of more than $3.6 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 70 countries from 1,000 locations worldwide, including 200 corporate offices. The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 2.1 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company’s investment management business, is one of the world’s largest and most diverse in real estate with $47.7 billion of assets under management. About The Princes Trust Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 13-to-30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped more than 650,000 young people since 1976 and supports 100 more each day. Last year, more than three in four young people supported by The Trust moved into work, education or training. In April 2011, Fairbridge became part of The Prince’s Trust. The new united organisation will help 50,000 young people this year. About Life for a Cure Meningitis is a devastating disease. It can come out of nowhere and can kill in under 4 hours. Following the tragic death of our son Ryan, aged 16, 'a Life for a Cure' was born as a fundraising vehicle working closely in association with Meningitis UK. Although fantastic progress has been made over the last 20 years, there is still no vaccine available to protect against all forms of meningitis and associated diseases, including the most common form in the UK, meningococcal group B. 1 in 10 victims will die, 1 in 7 of those who survive will suffer some form of permanent disability, with at least six lives taken every week. It is vital investment continues into both research and creating awareness of this merciless disease to ultimately achieve the overall aim of eradicating all forms of meningitis. Please visit http://www.ryanbresnahan.org/ for more information. About Quartet Community Foundation The main focus of Quartet Community Foundation is to change people's lives for the better across the West of England by enabling a wide variety of donors to fund projects that make a difference where people live and work. Quartet Community Foundation is an independent charity serving a population of about 1 million people in the four unitary authority areas of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Community Foundations match those who want to invest their money with those who give of their time and energy to improve local communities. We see our role as nurturing both, celebrating the joy of giving and inspiring further action. Over the past 25 years Quartet Community Foundation has made grants of over £25 million and built a permanent endowment of over £16 million. We distribute over 1,000 grants each year to voluntary and community groups across the West of England. For further details on Quartet Community Foundation, please visit http://www.quartetcf.org.uk/