0:00:02 > 0:00:06This is me, rehearsing for the biggest concert I've ever done.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10I've composed a piece for BBC Music Day, all about CBBC,
0:00:10 > 0:00:15and in a few hours' time, will be performing it to an audience of 500.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17But it hasn't been easy.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20It's time to face the music.
0:00:20 > 0:00:21PIANO PLAYS
0:00:34 > 0:00:35My name is Shane and I'm 15.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40I play the piano and I compose my own music.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I live in Surrey with my dad...
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..my brother Ashlee, who's ten, my sister Channelle, who's nine...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..and this here is Ruby.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01She's my budgie.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06I would describe myself as a little bit of a nerd.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09I like Latin because it has really complicated grammar.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I'm not going to give you any clues, so don't mess up.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15HE SPEAKS LATIN Brilliant. Thank you very much.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19I don't really mind being a nerd. At least I've got SOME friends.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- ..No, I'm so thick. Have you put it in yet?- No.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28'Most days, me and George and Curtly,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30'we all come up to the music department
0:01:30 > 0:01:33'and we spend a little while just messing around and making music.'
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Oscillations was a track that we made.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39It started by accident, where I was playing around with the synth
0:01:39 > 0:01:41and then I found out one day that Shane had just gone and made,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45like, I don't know, 15 versions of it.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48My family is not particularly rich.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53It's really great that I still get to do all these great musical things
0:01:53 > 0:01:55and then I go to this nice private school
0:01:55 > 0:01:58that only the rich kids normally go to.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02I have a music scholarship to go there
0:02:02 > 0:02:06because they were impressed by my piano playing
0:02:06 > 0:02:07and my composing skills.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12Yeah, well, I am his piano teacher,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16but I think his strengths probably lie with his compositional talents.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Sometimes, they remind me of film music.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22I could see them as a film score.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Although it's nice to be able to play other people's music,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I kind of get more out of making my own music
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and being able to perform it.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Sometimes, Ruby inspires some of my music,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40so there's this one piece called Joshua And Ruby,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42which is about Ruby's old mate, Joshua.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50Sadly, Joshua died and that was sort of like a memorial to Joshua's life.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58I don't live with my mum, because my parents are divorced,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00so I don't ever see her.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01My dad has quite a lot to do,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05because he has to do all our cooking, laundry,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07help me with my music.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Shane's got no practice regime, no schedule,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15he's a law unto himself when it comes to his music.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17I don't push him to do anything.
0:03:17 > 0:03:18All I do is prompt him and say,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21"Shane, do you remember this is happening?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24"Perhaps you should do some practice." That's about it.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29A dad that doubles up as a kind of manager, but I'm not a manager.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31I'm a dad-ager!
0:03:35 > 0:03:36CHIMING ALERT
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- 'Hello, Shane. I'm Andy. Nice to meet you.'- Hello, Andy.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43So, you must be the musical director of this orchestra.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44'Yes, I am.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47'And I hear lots of good things about you and your composition,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51'so it's going to be exciting few weeks, for us to work together.'
0:03:51 > 0:03:55It will be the first time I've ever played with an orchestra on stage.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56That will be really great.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59'What I need from you is a set of parts for the orchestra,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02'and the turnaround on that's going to be quite tight.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05'I need that, really, by the end of this month, if that's possible.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Yes. So, I'll work on some ideas and send you some files.
0:04:09 > 0:04:15It's exciting. I'd like to have my music played. It's also daunting.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19I've got lots of work to do and very little time to get it done.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I don't know if I'm really going to have the time
0:04:24 > 0:04:27to juggle school and writing these parts.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Normally, when I start a piece of music,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31I just have, like, a stimulus,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34just a short bit that I want to develop
0:04:34 > 0:04:37that I've had in my mind for a little while.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And I go home later and I play it on the piano
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and then I carry on writing the piece of music from there.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Sometimes, I go to sleep and I have a dream and I hear this music
0:04:50 > 0:04:54and I wake up in the morning and play what I've heard.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59It's different for me to have a brief.
0:04:59 > 0:05:06I never normally have a deadline and an outline of what someone wants.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I need to start writing soon, or I'll fall behind schedule.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12# I'm Hacker T I'm the number one dog
0:05:12 > 0:05:14# In the canine league I'm sitting right at the top
0:05:14 > 0:05:16# So don't mess with me I'm the king of the mutts... #
0:05:16 > 0:05:18This rapper cannot rap.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21# ..But he's got a small weakness An Achilles heel
0:05:21 > 0:05:23# When it comes to dinner time He's Mr Congeal
0:05:23 > 0:05:24# He hates proper food... #
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I think it will be hard to write a piece of music
0:05:26 > 0:05:28about being in a kitchen.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34It's just a new experience for me, but it's a good one,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38because this is pretty much what film composers are told to do.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41# ..Then I'll blend it on brick next time
0:05:41 > 0:05:43# I'll point the finger at Harry Tongue
0:05:43 > 0:05:45# I know, I'll blame it on Coogi. #
0:05:46 > 0:05:48I'd probably say it's quite varied,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52cos you've got sort of a sense of humour in it as well,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and then you've got these darker programmes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57So, that could come out in my music a bit.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00So, I could have lots of loud bits and quiet bits
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and just lots of contrast to make it represent the channel bit better.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Sometimes, you can use Ruby as a judge
0:06:08 > 0:06:10as to whether things are good or not.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14If she starts tweeting along, that's a good sign.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20My main influence for this was probably Wizards vs Aliens.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23So, this could possibly be the wizards.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25HE PLAYS UPLIFTING CHORDS
0:06:31 > 0:06:34And then all the aliens is probably...
0:06:34 > 0:06:35HE PLAYS MOODIER CHORDS
0:06:37 > 0:06:41All these moody and pretty dark chords.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44This is quite a fun piece to play, I think.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52MUSIC PLAYS ON RECORDER
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Yeah, that should be fine. Yes, that's gone well.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02I'll just send it off to Andy for him to give it a listen.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05And get some feedback.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07ALERT
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Very impressed, young man. Let's run with this idea.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12We need another minute or so.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- 'I've got quite a lot of ideas for the rhythm section.'- Good.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- 'I think that's going to play quite a large role in this piece.'- OK.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Can you send me the full piano part, then,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- by, say, the beginning of next week? - 'Yeah, OK.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27'I'll do that for you and we can orchestrate from there.'
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Absolutely.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Then we'll be on schedule for getting the parts printed up
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and ready for the orchestral rehearsals the following week.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36All right, Shane, good to talk to you. Take care.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39At school, I have a friend called Stephanie.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40She's a really great cellist
0:07:40 > 0:07:44and, sometimes, I've got her to try playing my music as well.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48You have to combat my awful handwriting at the same time.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50THEY PLAY TOGETHER
0:07:52 > 0:07:53No, sorry.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- It changes to E major. - Oh, right, OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01It turns out that my music's really difficult to play on the cello.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03HE PLAYS THE CELLO HALTINGLY
0:08:05 > 0:08:06SQUEAKY NOTES
0:08:07 > 0:08:10HE LAUGHS
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Something like that!
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I was quite surprised at how difficult that is to play.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21I might consider making the music for my CBBC project a bit easier,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25because I have to write for a 46-piece orchestra.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- Oh, wow. So, quite a challenge.- Yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I'm sure you'll be able to make something really good up
0:08:32 > 0:08:33with a 46-piece orchestra.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39With a deadline to meet,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I spend the next few days in London with Mark, my producer.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45He helps me to record my ideas
0:08:45 > 0:08:49for the different parts of the orchestra, one instrument at a time,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52until we finish the entire piece.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56But will Andy be happy with it all?
0:08:57 > 0:08:59CHIMING ALERT
0:08:59 > 0:09:02'I've just had a listen through it and it sounds fabulous.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- 'How are you feeling about it?' - I'm quite happy with it.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08'Cool. All right, well, thank you ever so much
0:09:08 > 0:09:10'for staying on our agreed schedule.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14'That's so important when you're involved in a project like this,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16'making sure that you hit your deadlines,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18'and you've been true to your word with all that, so well done.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- 'Very professional job.' - Thank you very much.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23'I'm sure the musicians will look forward to meeting you
0:09:23 > 0:09:24'and playing your piece
0:09:24 > 0:09:28'and giving it its world premiere next Friday at the RNCM Theatre.'
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Yes.- 'All right, I'll see you soon. You take care, then.'- Bye.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37The biggest performance of my life is now only two days away.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41500 people will be listening to my composition, if it all goes to plan.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Unfortunately, my biggest fan has to stay behind.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52We've just arrived in Manchester and we've just checked into the hotel.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55We're in this really cool apartment. It's really spacious.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- We've got a dishwasher, Dad.- We've got an awesome view of the city.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00It's nice, isn't it?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Sightseeing over, it's time to get ready for the concert.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Hello, Andy.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- How are you? Nice to meet you at last in person.- I'm great.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Welcome to the Royal Northern College of Music.- Thank you very much.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15I'm going to take you to meet Danny, our arranger and orchestrator.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Great.- He's going to show you how he's done what he's done.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- I'm sure he's been very busy. - I'm sure he has. OK, let's go.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Here he is.- Ah, hello.- Here's Danny.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- Hello, Danny.- Good to meet you. - Danny, this is Shane.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Great. - Cool, well, here's your piece.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32'Danny took the music that I wrote and arranged it
0:10:32 > 0:10:35'so that the orchestra can read it easily.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38'Let's say it's an improvement on my handwriting.'
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Yeah, I think it's a really cool piece.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- It's dramatic, it flows really well. It's great.- OK, thank you.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49OK, so it's time to welcome our special guest,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51so let's give him a warm welcome. Where is he? Shane...
0:10:51 > 0:10:53APPLAUSE
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Want to take a seat at the piano, my friend?- Sure.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03And we'll play through your masterpiece. All right, everybody?
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Here we go.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07One, two, three, four.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's just so awesome being in the auditorium
0:11:11 > 0:11:15and you've got the massive PA and it's blasting out my music.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17It just sounds brilliant.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I'm so looking forward to the big performance.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26I've really enjoyed working with Andy.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I've just picked up a lot of advice from him.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30So, it's been very, very helpful.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34The whole experience has really improved me as a composer.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38ORCHESTRA PLAYS: Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
0:11:50 > 0:11:54I think if I manage to get all my music played on such a big scale,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56it could really change my life
0:11:56 > 0:12:00and bring about a lot of improvement financially
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and just in terms of how happy I can be.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07This is a very important moment in my life.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18CHEERING
0:12:18 > 0:12:20..He's here to perform the world premiere
0:12:20 > 0:12:22of his very special composition, Spectrum.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Would you be kind and give a very warm welcome to our special guests?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27This is Shane.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54MUSIC: Spectrum
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Amazing. That's amazing.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24It reminded me of, like, a James Bond theme.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It was really good. Everything was really good.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Lost for words.- It was awesome.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48My heart was kind of pounding before the beginning.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50I was just so excited to get on and play it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53And then it was just kind of euphoric being out there,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56getting to play my piece with a whole orchestra.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04APPLAUSE
0:14:04 > 0:14:07What's really impressive is, he comes out there
0:14:07 > 0:14:09and performs in front of a 500-people audience
0:14:09 > 0:14:13with a 40-piece orchestra behind him like he's been doing it all his life.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17He's an incredibly talented young man and got a bright future, I think.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Aw, thanks, Andy.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22And if you liked my piece, check out the CBBC website.