Perfect Score - Music and careers
Introduction: ‘Perfect Score’
Perfect Score aims to provide opportunities for music making in a range of styles and to inform young people and those who support them of the range of roles, progression routes and careers in the music industry.
Perfect Score comprises several strands of activity:
‘Press Start’ music sessions, aimed at young people in challenging circumstances ‘Level Up’ sessions, CPD sessions for individuals and organisations. Perfect Score: music careers conference for young people, hosted in collaboration with the Leicester Music Education Hub (LMEH) and Curve Theatre. Assistant Music Leader training - we are working with three trainees, young musicians and producers who are progressing from projects such as Concept to a career in music leading.
Highlights
It was a fantastic day at Perfect Score Young People’s Music Careers Conference on Friday 8th March at Curve Theatre in Leicester. It began with an inspiring keynote speech from Matt Griffiths (Youth Music) - Matt had some great advice and insights on developing a career in the music industry to share with the young people.
There was plenty of time to get creative too as we then moved onto workshops with Mr Shay, using beat boxing and loop stations to create music with the latest music technology. Deborah Smith from Anara Publishing gave the low down on Music Publishing and there was networking time to meet the exhibitors and find out about career pathways into the industry or to try one of the brilliant instruments that OHMI music had brought along with them.
Breakout groups got some great advice on career opportunities in the music industry, keeping well for music and insights into running a music venue. Representatives from UK Music and the MPG (Music Producers Guild) hosted a panel discussion with our Press Start musicians who were able to get individual feedback on their music and advice on working in the music industry! We then had a fascinating Q&A session with our panellists followed by performances from the Press Start musicians and young music leaders!
We have had a few surprises along the way – the project attracted an older age group than we were expecting and we are pleased that the feedback from young people (18 to 25 years old. The Press Start music sessions evolved into a group of young people aged 18 to 25 years old and along with our young assistant music leaders created some fantastic original music and performances.
We were also delighted that a number of additional progression opportunities became available, including a recording session at Redbull Studio’s in London and a trip to the UK Music conference in Coventry.
You can hear music created by the young people here https://soundcloud.com/pedestrian-charity/sets/press-start-for-perfect-s...
Music recorded by our trainee leaders is available here https://soundcloud.com/pedestrian-charity/sets/perfect-score-at-redbull and a video blog the team created during their visit here https://vimeo.com/325841768
Evaluation: We are working with ArtReach in Leicester to evaluate the project and it has been a great learning opportunity so far, we are hoping that our next event will be even better. Highlights from the interim evaluation:
PRESS START IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPERIENCED YOUNG ARTISTS AGED 16+
Participants reported that Press Start was a unique opportunity for them, and provided a genuine progression pathway. The music course was flexible and met mixed needs and abilities. Some further thought into supporting the trainees has been given from feedback and consultations with the trainees. Another key achievement was supporting young female musicians and providing collaboration opportunities.
YOUNG ARTISTS WERE INSPIRED, DEVELOPED NEW SKILLS AND ACHIEVED KEY MILESTONES.
Participants valued these opportunities and wouldn’t have otherwise had access to them. It means Press Start stands out and provides an important progression opportunity for young artists in Leicester. Pedestrian is supporting young artists that need additional support to maintain focus, develop and access performances and specialist guidance in order to succeed. Participants identified a number of new skills and knowledge gained through participating
YOUNG ARTISTS WERE INSPIRED, DEVELOPED NEW SKILLS AND ACHIEVED KEY MILESTONES.
All young artists created original music and recorded tracks in a studio setting, supported by a music leader. All young artists performed live in front of an audience of all ages including industry personnel. Artists reported improved confidence in their abilities in follow up discussions.
Looking forward we are hoping to continue developing and diversifying the opportunities for young people, schools, careers advisors and local music organisations through Perfect Score
Get involved!
It’s exciting to be hosting a programme of events engaging young people across the community and linking together music professionals and organisations whilst providing an opportunity for young people and industry professionals to connect and be involved in the wider music industry.
We would welcome your ideas for inclusion at our next event, if you would like to get involved please get in touch (perfectscore@pedestrian.info or give us a call on 0116 251 6207.
To keep updated with conference announcements and for info on guests, speakers and the young musicians and producers involved please see our blog https://perfectscoreblog.tumblr.com
