University News Last updated 11 July 2018
Young people in Coventry are being given the opportunity to transform their lives through music as a new centre supported by Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has formally launched.
Available for free to youngsters aged between 10 and 16, SoundLab-COV promotes musical excellence through enabling young people to have a creative voice. Along with partners Coventry City Council, Positive Youth Foundation and Coventry Music Hub, SoundLab-COV’s team of dedicated alumni and associates from the Conservatoire will help guide young people from across Coventry to achieve their maximum potential.
SoundLab-COV’s inaugural event was supported by Jamaican born singer Neville Staple – best known as a founding member of Coventry ska band The Specials – who performed at the launch on Tuesday 10 July with his wife and fellow artist, Christine ‘Sugary Staple’.
Young musicians
In its pilot phase, 900 youngsters have already participated in workshops and performances with SoundLab-COV. A core group who have formed over the last three months performed at the launch, which was held at The Box, FarGo Village on Far Gosford Street.
Groups of youngsters showcased various musical genres in-the-round, with a gathered audience of 100 guests enjoying acts in a format similar to the TV programme ‘Later... with Jools Holland’.
VIPs present included Professor Alison Honour, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of Birmingham City University's Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Principal, Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, and Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director for UK City of Culture 2021.
On behalf of the Coventry partnership, Mark Steele, Lead of Coventry Music Hub, said:
“Its fantastic news for Coventry that Royal Birmingham Conservatoire are working with us in the city to grow the next generation of talented musicians for our region and beyond.
Inspiration
SoundLab-COV aims to provide the benefits and life changing inspiration of music to youngsters by establishing a regional force for good. As well as providing transformative music education activities, the facilitators – including sound artist Sarah Farmer, pianist and composer David Austin Grey, and producer Zeddie – will also be acting as positive role models for youngsters in Coventry.
Richard Shrewsbury, Director of Learning and Participation, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said:
“Although we have our Junior Conservatoire and our new home in Birmingham which remains the central hub for our programme of widening participation within the wider region, it is also important that we work in the heart of the communities we are aiming to serve.
“For this new initiative, we are looking for young people in Coventry from a range of musical interests and styles including spoken word, dance, electronic, jazz, classical and more. Building on traditional lessons offered by Coventry Music Hub, SoundLab-COV will nurture young people who want to make their own music, develop their skills and showcase their creativity among like-minded peers.”
Following the launch, SoundLab-COV participants have an intensive weekend on 14 and 15 July at City College, and will then meet every Saturday from September for collaborative music-making, with the scheme fully funded for at least the next three years.