My musical journey started at Gisleham Middle School, near Lowestoft, when my teacher Graham Walsh asked, ‘Would anybody like to play the trombone?’
Although I had no idea what a trombone was, my hand shot up.
At that time, I was struggling at school. My reading and writing were poor, and I would often hide away at the back of the classroom to avoid the teacher's eye. Reading out loud was a nightmare and I was experiencing the early signs of anxiety and depression. Aged 35 I discovered, thanks to the wonderful music and dyslexia expert Sheila Oglethorpe, that I was, and remain, dyslexic. However, I took to playing the trombone like a duck to water, and by the time I started high school I had achieved Grade 8 with distinction and was a member of the National Youth Brass Band.
Music was my life and occupied every conscious moment. This experience did wonders for my confidence and had a massive impact on my wider studies. Although still struggling in terms of reading and writing, I was no longer afraid to have a go. I joined the Royal Signals Band aged 16 and have since worked as a teacher, conductor, publisher, producer, lecturer, course leader, music service manager and examiner – sometimes all in one week!
All these varied experiences have in some way fed into the creation and ethos of Resonance, a new higher education provider I have been part of setting up. Being aware from my early years of how much music has influenced me, I would like others to benefit from the power of music. Now, together with my colleagues Rick Benton, former curriculum manager for music and performing arts at Walsall College, and Chris Cronin, CEO of Total Solutions Group, which provides large-scale sets and rigs for touring and permanent shows, we are close to realising this vision – linking music, industry and education within a brand new multi-million-pound higher education institute and music centre.
Underlying philosophy
From my years as head of education at Roland UK (a manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments including pianos, keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion kits, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processing devices and more) I began to understand that there was a disconnect between the needs of the music industry and what was being taught in further and higher education. This idea has also been put forward in research reports such as Nesta's 2013 Manifesto for the Creative Economy (https://media.nesta.org.uk/documents/a-manifesto-for-the-creative-economy-april13.pdf) and Creative & Cultural Skills’ 2011 article The Music Blueprint (https://ccskills.org.uk/supporters/advice-research/article/the-music-blueprint-an-analysis-of-the-skills-needs-of-the-music-sector-in). The latter states:
While new entrants to the sector may have the right qualifications on paper, they are not always equipped with the right skills. As a result, new recruits need further training on the job. It is therefore vital that any education or training taken by individuals pursuing a career in the music sector is relevant to the reality of the industry.
Further consultation led by Dr Jonathan Savage (reader in music education at Manchester Metropolitan University) with 48 of the world's leading music brands (including Roland, Yamaha, Korg, Avid, Ad Lib Audio, Wigwam, Marshall, Solid State Logic and others) supported this viewpoint and went further, suggesting, as highlighted in the Journal of Music, Technology & Education Vol 7 that:
Educational frameworks over the past 20 years have often focused on the technical aspects of studio practice at the expense of the social, aesthetic and human skills required by the industry – also known as ‘soft’ skills.
Resonance will address these concerns directly by offering students an apprenticeship-style degree, blending technical/practical skills and personal development with academic rigour and research. Practical assignments, work experience and internships will be designed in partnership with industry, presenting students with real-world challenges and opportunities. This draws upon Professor David Kolb's ‘experiential learning’ model, Thomas Regelski's ‘action learning’, the RSA's Opening Minds project, and the concept of ‘student as producer’ – as pioneered by the University of Lincoln.
Educational approach
Our approach embraces the reality of self-employment and developing a portfolio career, which may include a combination of performing, composing, producing, teaching, sales and marketing, and product design. Further help and guidance from the Musicians’ Union, PLASA (the Professional Lighting and Sound Association) and the MIA (the Music Industries' Association) will help students understand employment status, contract and copyright law and other essential aspects of working in the industry, together with business planning, strategy and creativity. Essentially, students will be work-ready, unafraid of exploring new ideas, distinctly entrepreneurial, and ready to make their mark in the music industry.
Resonance will offer five undergraduate degrees validated by Solent University – Southampton:
- BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance
- BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Production
- BSc (Hons) Popular Music Production
- BA (Hons) Digital Music (composition)
- BA (Hons) Music Business.
We are also planning to launch a BA (Hons) in Education and Wellbeing in 2021 and by Year 3 an MA in Contemporary Music Performance. Enrolment is by audition only to ensure that students are ready for the challenges ahead. A foundation year is available for those who show great potential in terms of musical skills and personal attitude but do not have the required entry qualifications. To ensure that students receive the best possible support and opportunity, our intention is to keep numbers as low as possible.
In addition to our degree courses, students will benefit from our own professional diploma aimed at developing those ‘soft’ skills crucial to success in an ever-changing, dynamic and global industry. Interactive seminars, guest lectures and workshops will cover topics such as emotional intelligence, managing stress and developing confidence and resilience, as well as teamwork, leadership, understanding money, negotiating, and physical, mental and emotional wellness. This reflects an important and central philosophy at Resonance – our commitment to students’ emotional health. Dr Andrew Curran, one of the country's leading paediatric neurologists, neurobiology researchers and a trustee of Resonance, will guide and supervise the support given to students to ensure their emotional wellbeing.
Students will also be encouraged to participate in our Quals Plus option (at additional cost and subject to availability). This involves further study – mostly on our own campus if numbers allow – to gain additional qualifications awarded by external organisations such as RSL (London), PLASA, the Musicians' Union and others. Examples include:
- RSL's teaching diploma
- The National Rigging Certificate (NRC)
- Electrical safety and management (Plasa)
- First aid at work certificate (FAW)
The Cable Plaza Building, where Resonance will be based
Resonance roadshow
Resonance has taken a unique approach to attracting students – by taking a band on a roadshow tour of colleges across the country.Resonance co-director Rick Benton, who currently plays keyboard with West Midlands band Magnum, assembled a band of experienced professional musicians to help demonstrate how Resonance could kick-start a career in the music industry.Singing with the roadshow band was Samantha Dorrance, who combines being a singer-songwriter with work as a children's TV presenter. She was joined by guitarist Greg Platt Lake, a session musician who has been working professionally since leaving school at the age of 16 and has toured the world with Steve Winwood and Robert Plant.They were joined by session drummers Lloyd Draker and Richard Kirk, who between them have played with Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth, Limehouse Lizzy and the Grey Goose Blues Band; plus bassist Dan Clark, who has played alongside Steve Vai, Scott Matthews and Beverley Knight, and Benton himself on keys.‘These roadshows were a unique way for us to demonstrate to young people considering a career in music how great coming to Resonance will be for them,’ says Benton. ‘It will be one of the best institutes of its kind in the country, and I have no doubt that a lot of people will thrive in the learning environment we are creating.’As well as offering performances and engaging students in music techniques, the sessions also provided a wider picture about careers in music. ‘One of the things we are keen to stress here at Resonance is that while a career on stage is something that many will aspire too, there are lots of other careers in music you can follow,’ says Benton. ‘From the expertise needed for a live show to happen, to music teaching, the opportunities within the industry are endless. The point of these shows was to show the students that whatever their ambition is within music, Resonance can help them achieve it.’
Facilities
Resonance will be based at Cable Plaza, part of Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill. It sits in the heart of the Black Country, home to some of the most iconic music legends of the last 50 years, including Led Zeppelin, Slade, Judas Priest, ELO, Black Sabbath, UB40, the Moody Blues, Robert Plant and many others.
The building – comprising some 45,000 square feet of space – was previously Virgin Media's national training centre, but had been vacant for almost nine years. Having raised £9.3m from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, Unity Bank PLC and Arts Impact Fund, we are now modifying the site to include three state-of-the-art recording and broadcasting studios, a radio station, nine large rehearsal rooms, 18 practice/meeting rooms, a library and learning resource centre, multiple teaching rooms, various technology and video production suites, a 250-seat lecture theatre, a food hall and a student chill-out zone.
Paul Rutter, the former head of music at Solent University and an author on the music industry, tells me: ‘I have travelled the world to see various musical institutions and conservatoires and the Resonance project is highly impressive. I have not seen anything quite like it. The building and space dedicated to music and production is exemplary.’
Contractors will complete the conversion in time for Christmas 2019, after which we start a programme of open days and workshops, bringing life and sound into the building. The first cohort of students will arrive in September 2020.
Community engagement
The Resonance project goes beyond just education for our students. As a former local authority head of music service, I felt that music services could be so much more – if only they had the facilities to serve the whole community. As a not-for-profit registered charity, Resonance has an ambitious community programme, providing people of all ages with opportunities to meet, learn, enjoy and be inspired by music. This may include events and holiday courses, music therapy, Kindermusik, Weekend Warriors (for adults returning to music), corporate training, music and movement classes for pensioners, wellbeing workshops and a Saturday music school. A programme of this kind will involve working with and supporting Dudley Performing Arts and collaborating with the Brierley Hill Community Forum, local schools and colleges, the youth service, local charities and businesses.
Another key partner in this endeavour will be Black Country Radio – a community radio station broadcasting throughout the year across the Black Country, Birmingham and beyond on FM, DAB and online. BCR will be based at Cable Plaza within brand new studios designed by Resonance, and will be commissioning composition, performance and production assignments for our students.
After many years of dreaming about such a facility and resource, I am excited that Resonance is finally taking shape thanks to the cooperative effort of many like-minded people. I believe music has the ability to bring joy, love, health and meaning to the lives of millions of people, young or old, whoever or wherever they are. Few other art forms can evoke so much emotion and bring people together with a common purpose. At Resonance our aim is to support and nurture the next generation of musicians, be they amateur or professional, composer or producer, teacher or entrepreneur, and by so doing, unlock the transformational power of music for all.
For further details, please visit www.resonance-edu.org or contact david.barnard@resonance-edu.org
