MEDIA RELEASE

As countdown to 2014 Dartington Summer School begins, former singer songwriter pupil George Ince releases track: "A Better Place to Go"

Soon to begin its summer season, Dartington International Summer School is renowned for its focus on classical and early baroque music, but the release of a new popular song track by a former pupil from 2012 demonstrates it has as much relevance to the would-be creator of songs and music for the 21^stcentury as it does to the classical musician interested in the exploration of early chamber music, advanced conducting or voice tuition.

Talented young singer songwriter George Ince, aged 25 from South London has just released a new track entitled "A Better Place to Go" and says his experience at the 2012 Dartington Summer School where he attended the singer songwriting course led by The Kinks frontman Ray Davies proved to be inspirational in starting him on his career.

George says, ""I always look back on my week at Dartington with fond memories... wishing I could live it all again.

"It goes without saying that both Ray and Marion are wonderfully inspiring teachers but I also learnt so much from my fellow attendees. From fledgling songwriters to professional recording artists, the atmosphere was totally inclusive and forward thinking. We all wanted to help each other get the most out of the week... and we achieved a lot.

"From a live gig at a record shop in Totnes, all the way through to solo performances on the final evening at Dartington, I came away super inspired and two years on I still go back to my Dartington notebook for inspiration and new song ideas.

"What did I learn? It's very possible to write a good song in two hours. And don't be afraid to fail. "

George is now recording a collection of tracks ready for releasing a solo EP in 2014.

This year's Dartington Summer School will see a slight change in direction for its songwriting course, tying in with the announcement from English National Opera that it plans to open its doors to the world of musical theatre. Therefore Dartington is running a songwriting course concentrating on the musical theatre and directed at music, theatre writers and composers, led by composer and pianist Richard Sisson and lyricist Richard Stilgoe*. During the week students will create new scenes and songs, from opening chorus number through power ballad to love duet, with the guidance of the tutors. At the end of the week, with the help of students from other courses, this work will be given its first and only performance.

Dartington continually seeks to inspire its talented students, whatever their musical preference, and the Summer School is confident that this year, like those before it, will prove that it really is a better place to go.

To find out more about George Ince, visit the website:www.georgeince.comand to listen to his new track, A Better Place to Go visit:http://www.dartington.org/summer-school/life-after-summer-school

Further details on the courses available:www.dartington.org/summer-schoolor E/:sue.wiles@dartington.orgor to make a concert booking T/: 01803 847080

Further press information and high res images: Jane Adkins, A Head for PR Ltd, T/: 01935 813114 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Editor's Notes:

Richard Sisson is a composer and pianist and has written many hundreds of songs in 35 years as a cabaret artist and broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3 and has extensive international experience as a teacher. He was recently awarded an honorary MA from the University of Bedfordshire for services to music education. Richard Stilgoe has spent fifty years as a performer and writer in all forms of the performing arts. He wrote lyrics for Cats, Starlight Express, The Phantom of the Opera, The Magistrate and Road Rage, and music and lyrics for Bodywork , Brilliant the Dinosaur and ‘Orpheus - the Mythical'. His broadcasting work has earned him the New York Radio Festival Gold Award, three Monaco Festival Prizes and the Prix Italia. In 1997 he founded the Orpheus Centre in Surrey, where young disabled people prepare for independent living through a series of performing arts courses.

July 2014 (DISS 04)