A first-ever songwriting camp ‘SongHub’ begins in Honiara today. The programme uses creative collaboration and cultural learning to bring together the songwriting community of Solomon Islands in a celebration of our music and our kastom.
The week-long programme will link Solomon Islands rich history, art and cultural with the brilliant songwriting community in the country.
Australasian Performing Right Association Limited (APRA) and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) are implementing the SongHub programme in partnership with the British High Commission Honiara, with the support of British Council New Zealand and the Pacific and Dreamcast.
The project builds on from two SongHub collaboration projects conducted by APRA and the British Council to support and promote cultural exchange between the UK and NZ songwriters.
Natasha Beckman, Director of the British Council Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific said:
“Bringing Kastom Konnect SongHub to Solomon Islands is an exciting collaboration between ourselves APRA AMCOS, Dreamcast and the British High Commission Honiara. The British Council’s mission is to foster meaningful cultural connections, and SongHubs exemplifies this perfectly. It creates powerful bridges between artists across borders and traditions. This groundbreaking programme promises to spark extraordinary musical collaborations that celebrate both contemporary creativity and cultural heritage in Solomon Islands.”
The programme offers space where creative songwriters and curators team up to interact. This space is where songwriters can find inspiration through various resources.
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Coward said:
“Solomon Islands has some of the best and most exciting artists across the Pacific. Solomon Islands also has a deep and rich culture and kastom. I hope by bringing together exciting young artists, the cultural heritage, and the brilliant team from APRA, we can together make something incredible.”
The SongHub links local songwriters and industry experts together to collaborate, connect, and share experiences. Feedback from this SongHub can be utilized to anticipate future collaborations and to refine the approach in organizing cross-cultural songwriting experiences.
