This weekend local partners including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Brent Music Service, Brent Council, Young Brent Foundation, The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) and Brent Black Music Co-Op (BBMC), launched a new music academy for Brent.
This cross-genre academy will provide a pathway to careers throughout the music industry, from music production and administration to performance in any musical style or genre.
Created in collaboration with and for the people of Brent, discussion and research with the community will continue to inform all aspects of the academy from the format of delivery and selection of training on offer right through to the name. This unique music development programme will provide professional-level training across the music industry for young people in Brent, regardless of background, prior achievement, financial or other barriers.
Designed in consultation with music and youth providers in the borough, the academy will complement provision already available for young people in Brent, creating progressive opportunities and tangible links to further education and careers through training and industry connections.
The first major stage of the academy will be a pilot programme that will take place from May to July 2022, and we are looking for passionate young people who are playing or making music in any genre or style, or with interest in music production, business, or administration to take part. If you think that you know a young person who would be interested, please visit rpo.co.uk/brentmusicacademy to find out more.
We are grateful for the generous support of Stefan and Simona Voloseniuc of SF Stefan Civil Engineering who have made possible the pilot phase of the project.
Who is the new music academy for?
The academy is for passionate young people who have an aptitude for music performance in any genre, or an interest in any aspect of the non-performing side of the music industry.
The Performance Pathway is designed for young people who sing, play an instrument or compose their own music, working in any genre or style, with a passion for collaborating and performing with others.
The Industry Pathway will explore non-performance elements of the music industry, which might include audio engineering, music production, marketing, talent promotion, event management, programming, or any other related fields.
There are no formal entry requirements. While the academy is open to all young people regardless of genre, background, or prior experience, it will cater for participants expressing a commitment and keen interest in the music industry.
Eventually, the Academy will cater for young people aged 4 – 19 years old, grouped based on skills and experience.
During the Pilot Phase, we will work with reduced numbers of young people in order to trial the model. Cohorts we are looking to work with during the Pilot Phase are:
- Performance Pathway – 3x cohorts based on experience:
- Young people not yet learning/practicing an instrument but demonstrating good musical foundations (Suggested ages: school years 5 – 7)
- Early career players, learning/practicing an instrument for 1 – 2 years, demonstrating commitment and keenness to learn. Roughly equivalent to ABRSM grades 1 – 2 if relevant. (Suggested ages: school years 5 – 8)
- Advanced players, with good technical proficiency and an interest in developing further. Roughly equivalent to ABRSM grades 5+ if relevant. (Suggested ages: school years 7 – 11)
- Industry Pathway – 1x cohort for young people aged 14 – 18 years old with an interest in, and desire to explore one or more aspects of the music business, production or administration.