Past Program Highlights
GEMS
2023
The GEMS 2023 summer program was our first ever program in my home town of Valencia. What a joy this was to share this magical city with our composers, faculty and guests, the beach, the medieval city center, the lakes and rice fields, the arts and science city and of course, the food!
This year we welcomed composers from all over the globe who have wowed us with their music and final 65 piece orchestral RTVE recordings, just 90 minutes away on the train, Valencia to Madrid (400km) for our RTVE recording in Madrid.
Check out the 2023 GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program!
Past Program Highlights
GEMS
2023
Christopher Young
The fabulous Golden Globe & two-time Emmy nominated composer Christopher Young, returns on top form, with his exceptional Film Scoring Program. Passionate about melody writing, Christopher brings new insights and ideas about melody writing for film to composers and in the final challenging assignment, to score one of his main titles. Christopher continues to create his own musically synergy between himself and each composer.Nothing less than a huge success!
"I'll never forget these incredible two weeks. You guys rock!"
Marcus Breyer
Flamenco Party
Every year celebrate a Spanish cultural experience like no other with our composers. Our legendary GEMS Flamenco Night Party. This year we rock up to RADIOCITY home to live music since 1979, here in the heart of the old town in Valencia, Spain. Check out this fantastic Flamenco trio. What a moment!
“I had the most incredible experience"
Polina Tserr
SkyBar
This year the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program came from the beach city Valencia. We meet every year on a rooftop hotel to watch the sunset and get started meeting your next best friends. This year we were next to the Serrano Towers, the old medieval gates of the city
"This is such a high level film scoring program"
Svetlana Krylova
Atil Örvarsson
Atli Örvarsson joined us on the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program Spain, for a fantastic talk about his career, his music, working in LA and his latest project, he also played the theme from Silo on his grand piano for us. A fantastic talk from an absolutely excellent composer. We were honoured to welcome Atli.
"Thank you Nigel for such a wonderful experience."
Emma Trowbridge
Neil Brand
Returning Masterclasses Sounds of Cinema with Silent Film Composer, Author and Broadcaster, Neil Brand who rocks us with his amazing knowledge of film music history in his excellent Masterclasses during the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program, Valencia, Spain covering Film Noir, Electronic music, Sound design, Minimalist music, Pop and Rock music. Plus, we get to see him interview some of the worlds best directors and film composers, and each composer received a copy of his brilliant TV series. Yeesss!!!
"GEMS was an amazing experience!"
Edwin Miller
Francesco Menini
Dr. Francesco Menini, provides support for our composers. He brings with him all the compositional and orchestration skills needed to help prepare our composers for the orchestral recording.
"A truly exceptional program packed with cutting edge classes
Marcus Breyer
Magazine
A massive thanks to composers, Jon Wygens, Fernando Cabrera Pérez, Nacho Ferrando, Luna Pan, Ana Krstajic, Cameron Moody for participating in this years GEMS Alumni Composer interviews for our GEMS ’23 Annual Magazine. Questions we covered this year included, AI in music, composers income and royalties, taking care of your mental health and well-being, current projects you are woking on and how do you start your writing process. Insightful answers from everyone.
I joined the Gems from Japan, and it was totally worth it!"
Ayaka Nakamoto
Pete Anthony
Pete Anthony is one of the most hard working and exciting orchestrators in the industry today. Pete generously gave GEMS composers back to back daily masterclasses over the week on orchestration and finishing with individual score reviews before composers headed of to the RTVE orchestral recording. Leaving our GEMS composers with a massive injection of orchestration knowledge.
"The GEMS programme is spectacular"
Robyn Bryant
Valencian Dance
To kick off the start of the 2023 GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program we brought in the traditional historical heart of music and dance in Valencia. The reed instrument is a Dolcaina, the drum is Tabal, the beautiful costumes, music and dance are performed at festivals and events all year round, and can be seen and heard everywhere especially during Las Fallas Festival, Valencia, Spain.
"Such an irreplaceable and valuable experience"
Ayaka Nakamoto
Valencia Horchata
Horchata is an original and authentic Valencia drink, best served chilled on the Roof!
"A great musical experience for me"
Andrzej Gladkowski
Zacarías M. de la Riva
Zacarías M. de la Riva composed the fabulous Tadeo Jones 3: The Emerald Tablet, Lightbox Animation Studios. Zacs Joined us and gave a masterclass on composing the music for Tadeo Jones 3 to all the SCORELIVE participants who registered and joined the competition.
"Incredibly passionate & animated about this wonderful chance I had to learn with GEMS."
Samuel Wright
Diana Cotoman
French-Romanian violinist and composer Diana Cotoman's music includes symphonic works, operas for young audiences, chamber music, and music for film and video games, Diana gave a great masterclass on how to work with a director, pitching to a producer, DAW set ups and workflows, meeting deadlines and how to advance your career.
Nigel, both himself and his program, are 100% absolutely the best there is overseas."
Christopher Young
Alvaro Dominguez
Joining us this year is composer and orchestrator Álvaro Domínguez Vázquez whom we are absolutely delighted to welcome to the GEMS faculty. Álvaro who worked for many years as the assistant to Alberto Iglesias. Álvaro took individual score review sessions for selected composers to work with on their scores before submitting to the RTVE librarian.
"This has been one of the best experiences ever."
Carlos García Reche
Mentoring
The Christopher Young one on one mentor sessions have become an indispensable part of the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program, and incredible experience for our GEMS Composers. Christopher reviews your music and resume before meeting you to discuss and advise and listen. An absolutely priceless experience.
"The care provided, generosity of time, knowledge given is truly amazing
Robyn Bryant
Garry Schyman
BAFTA winning and BAFTA nominated composer Garry Schyman gives another one of his fabulous masterclass USC programs on Video Game Scoring. Garry brings with him such a clear delivery of musical composition for video game and its cross over applications, it is without doubt the best game scoring program ever.
"I feel very lucky and special.”
Yağmur Uckardes
Flamenco Dance
To welcome our illustrious guest of honour, The fabulous Golden Globe & two-time Emmy nominated composer Christopher Young, we start with a surprise GEMS Events Live & direct Flamenco performance. Joining us, one of the best Flamenco trios in Spain, Formas Flamencas. They have that effortless feeling about their performance that you only ever get with Fantastic, Passionate Virtuosos. Check them out!!! Photos & Videos
"This was an invaluable and unforgettable experience."
Christoph Peters
Paella with the Tutor
Lunch in Valencia means one thing … Paella! It originated here in Valencia and has become a national / international dish. Composers went for lunch in medieval parts of Valencia and enjoyed typical Paella, vegetable paella is also available.
"I have been so honoured to be a part of GEMS"
Tom Godbert
RTVE
RTVE is one of the best orchestras in Europe, and we have the absolute pribvalge of recording with the National Broadcast Orchestra for our composers final orchestral recording as part of the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program here in thier HQ the Teatro Monumental in Madrid.
" GEMS is a magical world of learning."
Ramin Ali Velibekov
Stéphanie Tomala
Composer Stéphanie Tomala and Director Denys Desjardins join us for a great insight into working together on thier latest feature J'ai placé ma mère. How the process started, developed and ended with this heartfet film and with Stéphanie's score. A great talk.
"TOTALMENTE RECOMENDADO"
Ivan Capillas
Sergio Llopis
Joining us this year is composer and orchestrator Sergio Llopis whom we are absolutely delighted to welcome to the GEMS faculty. Sergio held individual score review sessions for selected composers to work with on their scores before submitting to the RTVE librarian.
"Friends for life after it!!"
Cameron Moody
ScoreLive
This summer amazing composers who registered and entered the ScoreLive Competition joined us on this summers Gems Music Film Scoring Summer Program, Valencia Spain as part of their prize as the Winner, Finalists, TOP 12’s and Runner Up’s. Can't wait to hear their live Orquesta y Coro RTVE orchestral recordings they wrote and watch their videos.
I feel rejuvenated motivated than ever to pursue my own creative endeavors
Polina Tserr