Genelec launches G SongLab young songwriters’ initiative

Genelec has launched the G SongLab initiative that forms part of the Genelec Academy and offers young people free access to a safe on-line learning community, where they can collaborate and engage with others in developing their skills in songwriting and music creation.

The initiative is a collaboration between Genelec and the Tiuku Public Information Cultural Factory, the City of Helsinki, University of the Arts Helsinki and the ArtsEqual research initiative, which have joined forces to encourage and support young people’s active participation in music creation, and the sense of social integration and companionship this brings.

G SongLab was developed by a team of songwriters and music educators led by Petter Korkman and Anna Kuoppamäki. It provides an international online learning community for songwriters aged between 13 and 29. Genelec is will contributing to the educational program by teaching the basics of sound and audio monitoring, so participants can evaluate and improve their work.

A selection of music created during the workshops will be shared via the Genelec Music Channel on YouTube. In future, it is planned to broadcast live performances from Helsinki via the Genelec Artist Room.

Genelec has a long tradition of supporting educational programs to help young people create music. G SongLab is a natural extension of the existing partnership with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus in the US and Europe, and the establishment of the Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Scholarship in conjunction with the Audio Engineering Society.

‘This is an excellent way to express our values of enthusiasm and justice,’ said Genelec’s Juho Martikainen. ‘Music creation belongs to everyone, and if we can help young people to learn and find their own way in life, then that is the best prize there is. In the difficult times we currently live in, we believe that music can help create hope, a sense of belonging and a shared determination to support each other and survive.’

To celebrate the launch, Genelec will be staging a G SongLab Songwriting Challenge, which will be open to young people worldwide, with creators of the three most innovative original songs receiving a premium quality home studio recording package, and the chance to perform their song live at the Genelec Artist Room.