A SPECIAL song competition has been launched by the Royal Shakespeare Company to find a tune to set to the words of one of the Bard’s much loved songs.

The Shakespeare’s Birthday Song Competition is open to professional and amateur composers aged 18 and over and the winning song will be performed at the RSC’s 2015 birthday celebrations in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The RSC is asking for a new musical composition, setting the words from one of Shakespeare’s songs to music, and it will be judged by the RSC’s head of music, Bruce O’Neil.

He will select the finalists to be entered into a public vote and the winning song will be performed at ‘Shakespeare’s Birthday Bash’ on Sunday, April 26, when there will be an evening of words and music celebrating the midway point between the two Shakespeare anniversary years.

Mr O’Neil said: ‘Shakespeare’s plays are filled with music and song and his lyrics have been set to music by many famous composers at the RSC, from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Laura Marling. This is your chance to be amongst those names and compose an original song for Shakespeare’s birthday in 2015, and see it performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre”.

All compositions must be submitted by Monday, March 23, and need to abide by the following requirements:-

• Be a setting for a solo voice and accompaniment.

• Use one of the listed texts of Shakespeare’s lyrics provided on the RSC website.

• Be a maximum of four minutes duration.

• Be submitted in digital audio form, with an accompanying written score of the melody and chords to songcompetition@rsc.org.uk.

• The work must be original and unpublished.

Further information about the competition along with the texts entrants can select from is available at www.rsc.org.uk/songcompetition