Some of the of the biggest names in the Music Industry were available on the 19th January 2012 to share advice and their experiences with an audience of young people taking their first steps in the Music business. The Masterclasses covered a range or topics from, songwriting, recording, promotion, DJ Techniques and much more.

Held in the famous Abbey Road studios and the equally illustrious setting of the BBC Maida Vale studios the masterclasses were streamed live on the BBC website. However, if you missed them you will be able to watch all the sessions on http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing

These are a fantastic set of videos which give a real look into the competitive and every evolving world of the music industry from the industry elite.

As in previous years, we are offering Work Experience for your students during the week commencing Monday 2^nd April 2012 : 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. daily

This Work Experience consists of a ‘task’ that will be set for each of the groups involved.  The task will reflect the work skills that are expected in the music and multi media workplace.  The work will be set, monitored and assessed by AmmA staff.  The task will be industry standard work and will necessitate teamwork and working to tight deadlines.

Students will have to make an application to secure a place on the programme.  In the Centre we consider the application form to be part of the work experience and last year it was the information supplied on the form that allowed us to allocate the limited places available.

The two work experience programmes are as follows:

Group 1            Multi Media Technology            [2 days]                        Mon 2^nd & Tues 3^rd April

Group 2            Music Technology                         [2 days]                        Wed 4^th & Thurs 5^th April

 This is the only ‘work experience’ offered by AmmA due to the constraints on our staff throughout the year.

Application forms should be returned to the AmmA Centre by Friday 24^th February 2012.

To apply please download an application form here and send it to:

AmmA Centre

Markethouse  

Armagh

BT61 7BU

As showcased in a recently on Countryfile, David Hockney has been embracing technology and much of his recent work has been produced using iPad technology. The artist has turned away from his traditional sketchbook in favour of apps. When asked about the use of technology in his work, the artist illustrated his progressive thinking by answering “well, paintbrushes are technology. Pencils are technology” pointing out that when he is out in the field and working in rapidly changing conditions he can “quickly establish a range of colours faster than with any medium [I] have come across before”. Instead of carrying numerous brushes and other equipment, he favours the fact that he only has to work with one tool, a stylus pen that gives better interaction with the iPad than using fingertips.

Ironically, the iPad/iPhone was designed with the ethos that you use the ‘best pointing device in the world’. Steve Jobs famously stated ‘Who wants a stylus?’ but as an increasing array of apps became available, the need for more intricate interactions is sometimes necessary and has driven a resurgence in the demand for the stylus.

All in all, David Hockneys work is great testament to what is achievable by embracing technology and his latest exhibition gives great credibility to the use of the iPad or other tablet devices for art. With more and more apps available for sketching, painting and even clay modelling the momentum can only continue.

To find out more about the exhibition, visit ‘A bigger picture‘.

The app that David Hockney has been using to produce his art is called ‘Brushes Mobile Painting‘ and it is a winner of the 2010 Apple Design Award. The app allows the artist to paint in layers.

To read an article and see a video of David Hockney talking to the BBC, click here.

We will upload the Countryfile video in the near future.

Are you a budding musician and have always wanted to record your own material?

No matter what your musical style or influence, anything from the Led Zeppelin to Little Mix!

The programme begins at the end of January 2012 and runs one evening a week and includes a full day recording session in the AmmA Centre recording studio.

Particpants will receive a CD of their own original song and the opportunity to perform live.

The program is suitable for young people with some musical experience, beginners or experienced.

For more information and to apply online click here

Armagh held a Christmas Day ‘Georgian day’ where the AmmA Centre was chosen to be part of a spectacular laser show that was projected onto the front building of the AmmA Centre. The crowd turned up in their thousands to watch the magnificent show and be part of the special Christmas Day that Armagh held for the population of the city!

The laser show was so successful that there were many more requests to hold it again in the coming weeks up to Christmas. Keep an eye out on the 15th for the showing of the lights on the AmmA Centre after 6pm. We look forward to seeing you all there, you never know Santa may even turn up! Take a look at the video above to catch a glimpse of this amazing show!

Merry Christmas!

Copyright Infringement

Copyright Infringement is the unauthorised use of copyright material through performance, display, reproduction or as part of a ʻderivative workʼ.

Piracy

Piracy is the unauthorised download/upload, reproduction or distribution of electronic or audio visual material.

Exceptions to Copyright

1. Fair Dealing

- You are permitted to make single copies or use short extracts when the use is for research that you donʼt profit from, for private study, for educational courses or in connection with a recognised hobby. This is subject to the following:

- There must be no ʻfinancial impact on the ownerʼ of the work;

- You must fully acknowledge the owner of the work used;

- You must not share, distribute or make multiple copies of anything other than short extracts.

2. Teaching in Educational Establishments

- Performing, playing or showing copyright work, in full or in part, in educational establishments is permitted if the audience is limited to teachers, students and those who are directly associated with the establishment. This does not apply if parents etc are in the audience or if the purpose is solely to amuse students.

3.Library Privileges (Literature)

- applies to ʻlibrariesʼ within educational institutions and non-profit organisations.

- Libraries can make a single copy of a protected work on behalf of a library user for research or study reasons.

- The user must sign a declaration form to say they will abide to copyright law.

Other Cases:

Permission must be sought from the owner for use of the copyright material. This will lead to negotiating a licence of use which will act as a contract between you and the owner. Payment may be requested.

Further Info:

Copyright applies to audio, video and images amongst other things, and even using random thumbnails from Google Images can result in you being pursued for payment/breach of copyright and this has happened before. Head to the following links for more information on copyright and make sure you are OK to use the content you have.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/atoz/copyright

Comic Life lets you create astounding comics, beautiful picture albums, how-tos… and more! 
The easy-to-use interface integrates seamlessly with your photo collection or iSight. Drag in your pictures, captions, Lettering text (‘ka-blam!’) and speech balloons and your work is done! 

The Comic Life software is available to purchase from the AmmA Centre as we hold a site licence for SELB Schools covering the use of Comic Life on their computers, be it PC or Mac users. The licence usually costs up to £20 per licence but if you contact the AmmA Centre first, we will be able to supply it for less than £5.00 per licence.

A licence is required on each individual machine you install the software on, so if you don’t have the licence then you will just avail of the trial version of the software which has less features than the full version!

To order or enquire about Comic Life, contact Liz on 02837512920 or email liz@ammacentre.org.uk

To find out more about the software go to http://www.plasq.com this site will give you more information about the program.