Watch a sample animation!
Welcome to Tunes and Toons for Teens—2020-2021!
What is it?
Tunes and Toons for Teens (TTT), a partnership between NEXUS Chamber Music Chicago and Guarneri Hall NFP, is open to students aged 13-18 who live or study in Chicago. Students in the program will have the chance to create a story, tell the story through an animated film, incorporate a classical music soundtrack, and win prizes and awards along the way!
Prizes, you say?
Yes! The producer of the film with the greatest total number of through-plays will receive a $500 prize. The producer of the film with the second-highest number of through-plays will receive a $250 prize.
How does the program work?
A maximum of six applicants will be accepted into the Tunes and Toons for Teens program. These six participants will be guided in creating their short films and taught the basics of animation by Guarneri Hall’s Creative Director, Mike Grittani. After participants construct their animated films, NEXUS Chamber Music Chicago artists Brian Hong and Alex Hersh will guide the students in picking music for their soundtracks, and will then record those tracks on violin and/or cello. Guarneri Hall’s nationally recognized audio engineer Chris Willis will capture and edit the audio recordings for the videos.
The final versions of the films will be uploaded to YouTube and promoted world-wide.
Participants in this program will learn how to:
- Storyboard for video
- Do basic computer animation
- Connect music with storytelling
- Add and sync a musical track to a video
- Promote their videos
Sounds great! How do I apply?
Students interested in participating are asked to submit a completed application, including the name and contact information of a Chicago-area educator as a reference and a waiver form from a parent and guardian. After an initial review, students with completed applications will be directed to listen to links to six musical excerpts. Students will create an original story (or stories) based on one of the musical excerpts.
Note: Students may submit more than one story based on more than one of the excerpts.
After all submissions have been reviewed, six finalists will be selected to move forward based on their completed application and the content and creativity of their story.
I’m on board, but how much does it cost?
Nothing! The program is tuition-free, and no classical music background or animation background is needed, just passion to tell a story!