Education

Creative city: the future’s bright for Peterborough’s emerging media arts talent

What better way to inspire and encourage the city’s aspiring young musicians than to let them meet the top professionals? On 6 February, at the Key Theatre, that’s exactly what happened...

Music Industry Day, organised by Vivacity and Peterborough Music Partnership, had a simple goal: to link successful industry influencers with creative young people. The day was aimed at 14-21 years and involved practical workshops and seminars where young people were able to talk to professionals working at the top of the field about what it takes to make it in this tough industry.

It was a golden opportunity for music students to gain a better understanding of the music business; a rare chance for them to access accurate, first-hand information about working in the industry and the range of careers that are available in music publishing, music management, production, lighting, sound engineering, live events and performance. ‘We want young people within the city to aim high, aspire for excellence,’ said co-organisers Vivacity. ‘The event ensures that young people in Peterborough have the best access to advice and guidance to help them make the best choices and look at what may be available in their own region.’ Peterborough Regional College already has excellent music courses and is planning to deliver a Creative Apprenticeship scheme, while Vivacity offers internships within Creative People and Places.

Both Vivacity and Peterborough Music Partnership hope that by working with partners they can help to open up job entry to the creative industries through paid apprenticeships and internships within the city. So, what heppened on the day? In all, over 130 young musicians from schools and colleges attended the Music Industry Day at the Key Theatre. This was the first event of its kind in the region and it was deemed a great success. A who’s-who of industry leaders gave up their time to take part in a conference-style day, which included panel discussions about the irrevocable changes in the way music is released, thanks to publishing companies and streaming services such as Spotify.

Geoff Ellerby, Manager of Peterborough Music Partnership said: ‘This is exactly the kind of opportunity we are keen to provide to young people in the city, equipping them with accurate knowledge about choices and careers available by connecting them to professionals out there making a living in the music industry. Vivacity and the Music Hub were thrilled with the day and we are already thinking of future opportunities that will spring from the day.’

WHO WAS THERE?
Music Industry Day brought together experts from across the profession – people who work with major artists such as Rihanna, Genesis, Annie Lennox and the Glastonbury Pyramid stage. They brought expertise relating not only to careers as performers, but in management, publicity and the tech side of music. Here are just a few of them…

■ JON WEBSTER Jon Webster has worked for two people most of his life – himself and Richard Branson. Most of his career was spent at Virgin, but after leaving in 1992 he set up his own company and continued to work with Virgin acts, including Genesis, Peter Gabriel, UB40 and Mike and the Mechanics. In 1992 he founded the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, and was appointed CEO of the Music Managers Forum in October 2007.

■ LYNNE MCDOWELL Lynne McDowell is the head of PR for the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) based in London. The BPI is the leading trade organisation for record companies, including Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music and more than 300 independent record labels – and is also the organising body behind The BRIT Awards and The Classic BRIT Awards.

■ RYAN PENTY Ryan has worked for Coda Agency since 2011, after graduating in Music & Entertainment Industry Management from the University of Hertfordshire. His job is to plot the live career strategy of his acts and book their live shows on their behalf. He has currently a roster of 20 acts which include London Grammar, Mark Ronson and John Newman.

■ SIMON HONYWILL Simon is a highly experienced sound engineer, specialising in Front of House mixing and system engineering. He has a wide portfolio of clients across many genres, particularly orchestral and rock music. He did the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, Gary Barlow Children In Need Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, the Coronation Festival and Buckingham Palace and is sound consultant at the Glastonbury Pyramid stage.

■ JOHN DEPTFORD ARMITAGE ‘Deptford John’ Armitage has worked as a guitar technician for over 30 years, with everyone from Iron Maiden to The Spice Girls. The renowned rock and pop roadie and guitar tech extraordinaire has repaired and maintained guitars literally across the globe on tour and in the studio, working with acts such as: Iron Maiden, The Black Crows, Motorhead, Manic Street Preachers, The Verve, The Choirboys, Stereophonics, Scorpion, Pendulum, Annie Lennox, Mel C, Kylie and Take That to name a few! John also maintains several private guitar collections for various music industry luminaries including Mick Jagger.

■ JAMIE PULLMAN Jamie Pullman worked as a freelance viola player for many years, being involved in almost every type of work from drafty choral society gigs to pop festivals, from cruise ships to film recording sessions. He has worked at home and abroad in orchestras, most recently working for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for nearly ten years before joining the Musicians’ Union as their Regional Officer for the East and South.

■ ISI CLARKE Isi Clarke is a recording engineer and producer whose credits span a wide range of projects, from commercial pop releases to experimental classical music. Initially founding her first studio business 12 years ago, she now runs Grange Farm Studio, a purpose built residential recording facility in rural Fenland. Isi is also a co-owner of Oilbug Music, an independent record label which provides an environment for emerging artists to reach the next level.

■ PEARCE HIRE Peterborough-based Pearce Hire started back in 1987, being born out of a local mobile disco set up. Since then, highlights have included two years of Glastonbury Festival, the last ever show at the old Wembley stadium, supplying equipment to the Live 8 concert, and 27 years of the Cambridge Folk Festival. Pearce Hire also provide lighting and audio services for Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Simply Red and Courtney Pine.

■ BBC INTRODUCING – TOM SIMKINS BBC Introducing brings together all the BBC’s supporters of unsigned and undiscovered music. Tom presents a radio show on Saturday nights playing music from local under-the-radar musicians. He talked about the initiative and how he ended up working on the radio.

Emerge is part of Peterborough Presents… the city’s Creative People & Places programme, supported by ACE, PCC and NNF Bridge, and led by Vivacity in a consortium with Creative Peterborough, Metal, Step Up Community Association and Voluntary Arts.

To find out nore about Peterborough Presents… visit www.vivacity-peterborough. com/theatres-and-arts/peterborough-presents

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