JEDDAH: Saudi citizens and residents have four weeks remaining to submit an original musical composition that could become part of the arrival experience in AlUla.
Arts AlUla and AlUla Music Hub have called on creatives across the Kingdom to take part in the AlUla Music Competition before submissions close on May 31.
The initiative will see a newly composed work embedded into a specially designed Musical Road at the entrance of AlUla.
Rather than adapting an existing recording, the winning entry will be created specifically for the destination, serving as a distinctive audio expression of its spirit and identity.
The selected composition will be integrated into the road’s design so that as vehicles drive across it the “vibrations create audible tones” to create a musical experience inside the car, according to a press release.
The installation combines art and engineering, creating what organizers describe as a sensory moment where sound and landscape come together as part of the visitor’s arrival.
The winner will receive SR100,000 ($26,600) in exchange for the intellectual property rights to the composition, which is expected to become a lasting feature of AlUla’s visitor experience.
Hamad Al-Homiedan, director of arts and creative industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, told Arab News: “What we are shaping in AlUla goes far beyond conventional cultural initiatives. It is about creating immersive, sensory experiences that leave a lasting impression on every visitor.
“The Musical Road is one such experience, where music is not simply an addition but an integral part of the destination’s identity and the moment of arrival itself.
“By inviting Saudi citizens and residents to contribute to this composition, we are placing community-driven creativity at the heart of the experience.
“The result will be a contemporary expression of AlUla’s spirit, one that resonates globally, endures over time and reflects our broader ambition to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable cultural landscape connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.”
The competition forms part of Arts AlUla’s wider efforts to support creativity, empower local talent and position AlUla as a global destination for arts and culture.
Participants will present their work to a distinguished judging panel, with shortlisted entrants invited to AlUla for the final stage of evaluation.
The competition is delivered by U:Nation and Live Nation on behalf of Arts AlUla, offering direct exposure to leading industry professionals.
To qualify, submissions must be original works lasting between 30 and 60 seconds, inspired by the spirit and culture of AlUla and Saudi Arabia.
Entries must demonstrate originality and compositional strength, be supported by a recording or basic arrangement of suitable quality and be technically adaptable to the Musical Road format.
Following the final selection, the winner will enter a development phase before transferring full intellectual property rights to the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Al-Homiedan said the initiative reflected a broader ambition for the destination.
“We aim to create memorable experiences that stay with every visitor,” he said.
“The winning composition will be experienced by visitors from around the world for years to come.”
As the flagship activation of AlUla Music Hub it contributes to building a dynamic music ecosystem that connects Saudi creatives to international opportunities and strengthens integration across initiatives, including AlJadidah Arts District.
The initiative also aligns with Vision 2030’s objectives to grow the creative economy and deliver world-class cultural experiences.
More information and submission details are available at www.rcu.gov.sa/en/forms/alula-music-competition.
