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Ableton Opens Summer Music Challenge

For students looking to stay involved in the arts over the summer, audio software developer Ableton has launched the Ableton Summer Music Challenge, in which K-12 students create and submit original tracks for a chance to earn individual prizes and prizes for their schools.

Ableton is the maker of Live, a cross-platform audio production tool designed for live performances and for recording, composing, mixing, and editing music. Ableton also offers audio controllers and a range of software instruments.

The contest, according to Ableton, is an attempt to keep kids engaged in creative activities over the summer break. For the contest, students will submit original tracks to a music hosting service called SoundCloud. Those tracks that receive the most plays by the end of August will then be forwarded to a panel for judging.

Prizes will be awarded in two age groups: Younger than 15 and 15 to 18. A grand prize and a runner-up prize will be awarded in each age group, and the winners will receive prizes for themselves and their schools.

The individual grand prizes will include one Ableton Suite, which includes Ableton Live, along with synths and other software instruments; Novation Launchpad (a Live controller); Novation Nio 2/4 audio interface; a one-year SoundCloud Premium Account; and a Loopmasters gift certificate (roughly $300). School grand prizes will include an Ableton Suite site license, 15 Novation Launchpads, 15 Novation audio interfaces, 25 SoundCloud Lite accounts, and one Loopmasters Origin collection.

The runner up will receive a copy of Ableton Live Intro and a site license of Ableton Live Intro for his or her school.

According to Ableton, submissions will be judged based on knowledge and skill demonstrated in the submission; innovation and creativity; and musical direction.

The program is only open to K-12 students 18-years-old or younger. Further information about the program can be found here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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