Rhythm of London Award Winner Starts Out At The Institute

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is proud to welcome Charlotte Campbell, the winner of the Mayor’s Rhythm of London Award (part of the Mayor of London’s Gigs 2012 competition), to its student body.

Charlotte was one of hundreds of young Londoners who entered the Mayor of London Gigs Competition through an online application earlier this year and was selected to go through to the public voting stage. As one of the successful competitors, the singer-songwriter from South Rusilip took part in a five week programme of performances (21 July - 25 August) in a range of locations, including Network Rail stations, London Underground busking pitches, Olympic Park and iconic locations in the City of London including St Paul's Churchyard and The Royal Exchange.

The judges chose their top five in each of the three categories (Youth: Soloists/Duos aged 11 - 15 years, Soloists/Duos aged 16 - 25 years, and Groups aged 11 - 25 with 3 or more members) to enter the final with a sixth performer being chosen from each by public vote.

The final took place on 1st September, at which judges chose a category winner and from those three the overall Gigs champion was chosen. The Judges were also able to award 2 discretionary prizes, one being The Mayor's Rhythm of London Award in Partnership with the Institute.

As the winner of the Award, twenty-three year old Charlotte won a scholarship to study on the one-year Songwriting CertHE at the Institute, worth £5750. Charlotte expressed her gratitude in gaining the place: “I'm so proud to be part of The Institute, and after my short time studying with them I feel I have progressed so much already! I am constantly being challenged to write, it’s exactly what I need to develop my skills are a songwriter. I think the best thing about it is being surrounded by like-minded individuals and taking time to really analyse the art of song-writing.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'One of the reasons we established Rhythm of London was to give more talented youngsters the chance to perform live. I am thrilled that Charlotte Campbell has won the opportunity to study at the prestigious Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, where she will develop her craft and gain the experience to equip her for the rough and tumble of today’s music industry. This is a fantastic break for a very talented musician and I wish Charlotte every success as she develops her career.'

This is the first year the institute has partnered with the Mayor's office on the Gigs Competition. The predecessor of the competition, the Rhythm of London Busking Underground, was won by Institute Alumnus Robbie Boyd in 2011.

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