AMS Head of Education & Training to speak at Resonate Conference 2019
Resonate is back. This edition will see more incredible panels, workshops, one to one sessions and discussions. This year, not only will delegates have access to world-class panels, discussions and a hearty lunch, they will also be treated to live entertainment from many of the best upcoming Scottish talent.
AMS Scotland Marketing guru and head of the Education and Training at our Glasgow centre, Marc Sharpe will be taking part in the opening panel, Hello, Is It Opportunities in Music You’re Looking For? discussing education and music industry opportunities for young people and aspiring musicians. He’ll be featuring on the panel alongside Director of Skapade Studios Stephen Kirkwood – known for bring top of his game in the Scottish electronic music scene, Hilary Brooks – Founder of Scottish Women Inventing Music plus DJ-Producer and The Sound Lab rep, Rebecca Vasmant.
Who is Marc Sharpe?
With 14 years in the music industry, AMS’ Marc has primarily focused his career on Education and Training at the Academy of Music and Sound (Glasgow campus) and is currently the manager for marketing and recruitment for Scotland. Many of his duties at the Academy of Music and Sound have also included delivering lessons on Music Technology.
Marc has a varied experience within the creative industries ranging from working in A&R and promotions with companies such as; Island Records, EMI, Paramount Pictures and Disney. He has also worked at the BBC where he delivered classes within the BBC’s ‘Technology Hub’ to members of staff and worked on shows such as Children in Need, Scottish History Tour, Frankie Boyle, Rhod Gilbert and John Barrowman’s Tonights the Night.
Attend Resonate 2019
We’re also taking students to this year’s event at a discounted price, plus, the organisers and masterminds behind the Resonate event, will be heading to our Scotland centres to give talks to the students about how to set up and plan a music conference event.
Tickets to attend are also open to the general public. Find out more about Resonate here and read about previous year’s installments here. See below for images from Resonate 2018.
"The Big Gig" AMS Scotland mark 25 Years Loud with SAMAs and Scottish Music Centre
SAVE THE DATE
Here at AMS have been celebrating 25 years in music education this year. After an amazing showcase this summer in
Exeter, Academy of Music and Sound Scotland are bringing a joint party, along with the Scottish Music Centre – (who are marking a
mahoosive 50th year!) – AND the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (who turn 10 tonight!) to Saint Luke’s on 21 November. We’re calling this one, the BIG GIG.
The event will include a gig with guest acts such as Mellisa Kelly and the Smokin’ Crows, Marina Rolink, Vandal Palace, and Quiche.
Plus the band Cloth – who were nominated for the Best Newcomer Award as part of this years SAMA’s (a category the Academy of Music
and Sound were proud to sponsor this year). With even more acts TBC, this is definitely one to put in the diary.
Alongside these acts, there will be tables represented by Resonate, Musicians’ Union, Help Musicians UK and the Scottish Music Industry Association.
PLUS there is going to be free beer (yes free) from sponsor Drygate Brewery and Wandern Media will be shooting and snapping the entire event. ????
????For more info click here to sign up to AMS Scot’s mailer!????
FOR TICKETS, CLICK HERE. ????
Click HERE for the FACEBOOK EVENT ????
Callum Beattie, Rory McLeod, Loft Studios
confirmed for Gateshead Masterclasses
The Academy of Music and Sound Gateshead have announced a series of masterclasses
led by professional musicians and industry leaders for the coming months.
Up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie will be leading a class on
20 November, Newcastle based recording and mixing pro Anth Mills, Rob Meek and
the team from Loft Studios.
(Just added!) AMS Gateshead will host on Friday 15th November, an epic masterclass with Rory Mcleod – ex-circus clown and fire eater, and one man soulband, poet and storyteller. The event is FREE for CURRENT/EX STUDENTS, and is also open to the public for only £5.
Rory is a modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, acappella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djembe and various percussion instruments! He’s also a seasoned traveler, having explored places such as the middle East, Gambia, Cuba, Central America, Australia, North America, Canada, Europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth. ????
While on 20th November, Callum Beattie heads to AMS Gateshead for a masterclass. Managed by the team behind The Kooks, Michael Kiwanuka, The La’s, and Cast, the former Edinburgh busker recently signed a recordings deal with 3 Beat/Universal. Callum’s debut album is scheduled for release in 2019, In the meantime, he can be heard on the new single from High Contrast and is currently supporting Robbie Williams and The Kooks on there European tours. This event is also free for current students or AMS alumni, with a generous £3 entry fee for members of the public – who are also warmly welcome to take part! MORE INFO HERE.
Rory McLeod | 15th November | AMS Gateshead
Callum Beattie | 20th November | AMS Gateshead
Fancy playing at Bearded Theory 2020?
We need acts!
Bearded Theory Spring Gathering is back at Catton Hall in Derbyshire across the weekend of 21st/22nd/23rd/24th May 2020. The Academy of Music & Sound run an annual stage there called the One Big Showcase. The idea is to promote unsigned and up and coming acts to give them a leg up onto the festival ladder and increase their exposure.
Are you an unsigned band or act that fancies the idea of playing to sell out festival crowds?
2020 will be the third year we have been at the festival and once again we’re opening up a competition for unsigned bands and artists to perform on our stage!
We offer a showcase slot on our fantastic stage, free entry for you, your band and crew, and substantially discounted guest tickets for your guests, full light and sound crew, backline amps and drum kit, a manned merch area to sell your wares, stage technicians, a backstage space and facilities to get show-ready and also pro photos of your performance to use as you wish.
The One Big Showcase tent is in the main area of the festival, a short walk from the main stage.
If you really go down well we will also be pushing 4 acts to other larger stages for a slot at the 2021 festival! Previous years acts have included Devonshire up-and-comers Pattern Pusher, plus The Kubricks, Tres Kings, Katy Hurt and HAWXX.
While you’re here, why not check out our review and photos from this year’s One Big Showcase event.
The Boring Bit….
It’s over 18’s only. However we will consider an under-18 entry if you have written consent from a parent or guardian to confirm you are able to find your own way to and from and around the festival.
If you have played the One Big Showcase stage before in 2018 or 2019 then you are not eligible, it’s someone else’s go this year!
Entry is via our sign up form below, entries will be taken until December 31st 2019, judges will be in touch via email to invite those that are successful to perform.
Photos and more from the 2019 AMS Graduation at Guildhall Exeter
Last week we said goodbye to the AMS Class of 2019 with a Graduation marking the end of their musical education. Whatever their next steps, be it further education, masters, or stepping into the world of work, in a competitive industry, we wish them all the best with their futures and whatever they decide to pursue next.
The ceremony took place at the Exeter Guildhall, as we welcomed AMS students from across the country, as well as AMS Online, our digital learning platform, to celebrate their achievements and even award to some special congratulatory awards to some outstanding students.
Scroll down to check out some of the photos from the day and a full list of 019 graduates. Visit our Facebook gallery for more photos - and tag yourself!
Music Degree Graduates 2019
Oliver (Ben) Glass, Exeter - BA Hons First Class Bethany Goudie, Online - BA Hons First Class Matt Stevenson, Exeter - BA Hons First Class
Hayley Brown, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1 Natasha Cope, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1 Rebakah Cunningham, Southampton - BA Hons 2:1
Edward Drover, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 Ross McTeague, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 Paul Moger-Taylor, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1
Jordan Morris, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 James Trickey, Swindon - BA Hons 2:1 Niamh Tucket, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1
Oliver Goodchild-Horne, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2 Jasmine Kendrick, Swindon - BA Hons 2:2 Joshua Thomas, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2
Brendan Tucker, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2 Jared Steadman, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2
Foundation Degree Arts
Josh Boulton, Exeter - Merit
Kara Gelder, Exeter - Merit
Maddie Wilson, Exeter - Merit
Florence Peckett, Exeter - Merit
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the
changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
- Maya Angelou
Throughout the ceremony there were several speeches from Academy staff, plus a formal Address from Dr Miceal Barden, Dean of the Faculty of Arts from the University of Wolverhampton, who also presented the Degree Diplomas. The Academy Principle Steve Ryan made some congratulatory remarks, and the AMS Graduation Awards were given out to those winning students, Beth Goudie for Songwriting and Matt Stevenson for Studio Production. Laura Wright, the Centre Manager for AMS Exeter gave a warm closing speech.
Graduation season and award announcements
It's graduation season at AMS and to mark the occasion, as usual, we have given out awards to some of this year's outstanding students.
It was very hard to choose, as there have been some exceptional students, projects and performances this year, but in the end our panel of industry experts and AMS tutors whittled it down to three dedicated students.
There were three prizes on offer, one for songwriting talent and output, another for production based skills and achievements, and a final award for performance. Check out the list of winners below.
The Shaun Baxter H.E. Award for Performance - Steven Moore, AMS Gateshead.
Steven was nominated by Tom Pottage (2nd marker), for his University Ensembles "Other Ensemble" - a performance of Ney Rossauro's Marimba Concerto. His performance was described as "absolutely astounding" and "one of the best performance submissions I've ever seen from an AMS student." by Pottage. Shaun Baxter commented, "the whole performance was absolutely top class."
"This candidate executed concert-style repertoire, requiring virtuoso-level knowledge and technique, with composure and assurance. His performance, displaying a very demanding but impressive four-mallet marimba technique, continued to excel even when placed under the harsh microscope used to scrutinise any lead instrument in a large ensemble."
The Rev Hammer Award for Songwriting - Beth Goudie, AMS Online student
Beth studied BA (Hons) Professional Music (Performance) with AMS Online, and is set to graduate this summer. Her debut album out in July, adding to an impressive set of recent achievements. After receiving the news of her win, Beth commented: “Receiving the AMS Graduation Songwriting Award has been such a special addition to what was already an incredibly rewarding year. As a songwriter, an award like this is a real honour and encouragement as it gives me a new level of confidence as I move forward in my career. My time with AMS has added so much to my professional and personal life and it’s an experience I would recommend to any musician. Thank you so much to everyone at AMS for providing such an enriching opportunity, it’s one I will be forever grateful for.”
Beth was nominated by AMS Tutor Kimwei McCarthy, who spoke about Beth’s songwriting portfolio: “An astoundingly crafted EP of songs, which appear simple of first listen, but are in fact meticulously arranged, so that every note and every syllable fuse and ignite. These songs sound ancient and yet current, showing that they speak to something timelessly human in us”
Rev Hammer commented saying, her songs are "Utterly charming recordings. The sparseness of the approach works perfectly with the lonesome feel and longing of the message. I particularly liked the lyrical content of songs such as Hiraeth, Bouncy Castles, Ashes and Home. Bouncy Castles in a particular felt perceptive and wry and encapsulated the song writers dream of making the personal global. All in all a very rewarding and enriching listening experience with the beautiful recording of the voice adding both poise and fragility.
Beth's prize includes a free recording day at Studio 54 in Exeter, at her graduation ceremony. Two other awards, one for Performance and another for Production up for grabs, though details on winners are yet to be announced. Head to the AMS Online website to read more.
The AMS Music Production Award - Matt Stevenson, Exeter
Matt was nominated by tutor Rob Dymond. After much deliberation it was decided that Matt deserved the award due to the professional quality of his music for production project:
Overall this production is well arranged for the Idiom, as well as showing that Matt has a good grasp of mixing audio, mastering, sampling and recording instruments. Musicians have been directed well and perform to a very high standard in his work. Rob said, "each track is competitive in terms of loudness without losing dynamics and the low end definition is where this project shines, it would be suitable to be played on large speakers in club or at a dance music festival." Careful considerations have been made throughout his work in terms of processing, saturation, stereo width and balance. Rob also said, "I very much look forward to hearing this music within a professional context in the future."
The Academy celebrates 25 years in music education with a showcase of music and talks at Exeter Phoenix
What a way to celebrate 25 years in music education! We celebrated our 25th year in music education this summer with a full 12 hour programme of events, showcasing the strengths of the Academy of Music & Sound in Exeter. This was the very best of AMS past a present presented in the context of the contemporary music scene. 2019 - year that commemorates 25 years of the organisation as a whole, and 15 years in Exeter.
The day started with a panel discussion on many areas of the current music industry. The panel consisted of Kate Graham from Soundlaunch, an Arts Council funded music initiative in Exeter, Exeter Street Arts and OxJam rep Becky Grinham who also spoke about Tour Management and Journalism. Also present was Glasdenbury Festival founder Emma Twamley, up-and-coming singer songwriter Sadie Horler, producer, composer, studio owner John Waddell, and studio technician, producer and artist Ben Green, who chaired the discussion,
The discussion was broad and insightful, with many areas of the contemporary music industry covered, discussed and interrogated. The panel discussed with great energy over a two hour session, live performance and potential monetisation of creative output, as well as how to sustain a creative career. The talks were attended by local students and musicians alike, insights were shared and experiences of how diverse the industry can be were laid bare in what was a very frank and honest appraisal of where we are in the music industry in 2019. Those that attended will have gained an insight into what it takes to be successful within the music sector in 2019, and indeed how that very success can be measured in real world contexts. New relationships were formed between panelists, and those that attended.
Moving further into the afternoon the focus shifted to live performance. Students from the Exeter centre Level 3 Diploma performed as duos or soloists in the café bar. The sense of comradery was there for all to see, as friends sang along with each others songs, and encouraged all those that were performing. Outside on the deck some of the Foundation Degree production students were performing dance and DJ sets in the sun, and helping to set the scene for the evenings’ performers to take to the main stage.
The main stage music event kicked off at 6.30 with students from the Exeter Rock Club playing a 30 minute set. The Rock Club operates from the Exeter Academy of Music & Sound on a Saturday morning each week in term time. Students aged between 12 and 16 were given the opportunity to play the main stage, full lights, PA and smoke machines added to their experience and some very tidy covers opened the main stage.
Next up were the Music Diploma students. The groups made seamless changeovers between acts (using two drum kits) laying out a diverse set of soul, funk, reggae and rock. There was a wonderful mixture of female and male talent working together as a team to provide 45 minutes of thoroughly engaging music with excellent crowd interaction and superb standards of singing and playing. There were so many highlights, but the dual guitar solos in ‘Hotel California’ and incredibly convincing vocal work on ‘Whole Lotta Love’ really stood out. They all excelled and we're so excited to see what they do next. Many of these students are going on to study at Foundation or BA level with us.
First Person then took to the stage for their set of original songs mixing grunge, rock and occasional reggae with flair and style. They are a stylish outfit, with an eclectic set of original songs. The members are from the Foundation Degree and BA Top-up courses – they also played on the One Big Showcase at Bearded Theory 2019.
The Quinces were on at 2100, with frontman Robbin Hann having graduated from the BA (hons) course last year. A rowdy garage band from Torbay, playing plenty of festivals this summer with their brand of orignial indie rock. The main stage was now well and truly jumping with the energy these guys bring to their performances.
The finale was a set from Patter Pusher. First in their regular lineup of drums, bass/guitar, keyboard and vocals, and then as a super group with added Academy of Music & Sound alumni for the finale.
Patter Pusher are developing quite a following, and their brand of catchy synth pop and rock got the audience at the Phoenix jumping shortly after 2145. The band has a great energy, an infectious desire to please those watching, and this comes across in swathes to all those watching. There are many smiles at a Patter Pusher performance, from the guys in the band to all of those watching and even their tech!
After 30 minutes of original material the regular trio of Ben Green, Alex Johnstone and Ben Connibear were joined by AMS alumni Dan Cosgrove on bass, Becky Grinham on vocals, Rohan Knowles on guitar and Tom White on percussion. The now larger band had an understandably fuller sound, and this ramped the party atmosphere up several notches! By the time Exeter centre manager Laura Wright joined the party for the finale with her tenor sax the audience were putty in their hands.
The grooves and moves were plentiful and the professionalism and outpouring of great vibes were there for all to see.
Here’s to another 25 years!
View all the photos from the event here:
AMS One Big Showcase at Bearded Theory 2019
The Academy of Music and Sound were back at Derby’s small but mighty Bearded Theory festival this year. Returning a stage packed with student talent, as well as a line-up of guest bands and artists specially selected among over 200 applicants* in a competition to play a slot on the AMS One Big Showcase Stage. The AMS stage - unmissable in bold red and blue stripes - offering an exciting line-up each day of the event, and gathered festival crowds offering everything from punk rock, to indie, acoustic and even some Ska to get your knees up to.
AMS Gateshead artists kicked things off on the Friday afternoon, with a wide array of styles covered including an acoustic set, and a DJ set. This was followed by an eclectic array of bands including award-winning country singer Katy Hurt, the sassy and wonderful Dana Immanuel and her Stolen Band, badass all-female punk rock group HAWXX, donning perhaps the most styling and statement-making attire of the entire event. South coast three-piece indie band Hot Plastic took to the red and blue tent shortly after. The Kubricks closed off proceedings on the Friday with a suitably skanky set which got the packed crowd buzzing in the intimate tent.
Saturday afternoon began, lit up by Exeter AMS student performers, including bands Violet Eye, Wish Hounds, First Person, plus Exeter based Shadow Project and AMS Southampton band Wooden Spoons. Guests Beth Porter and Pavey Ark, settled the revellers in for a mellow, dreamy afternoon, before Cuba Libre hit the stage, offering some funky rhymes and beats to truly get the crowd going. Candidates followed suit, and headliners Tres Kings closed the night with a polished performance stiking a bold balance somewhere between Arctic Monkeys and Jamie T.
"The guys from the Academy were really well organised before the event and made it really easy for us. We got to unload right by the back of the stage and the equipment on stage was brilliant. The sound engineers were exceptionally good and patient and got us a great sound! A great experience, we would love to return next year."
- Paul Bytheway, The Retrosettes
Sunday featured AMS Exeter band Athelas, as well as the ever-wonderful Kimwei and Connor Thomas. While the final installment of guests saw The Retrosettes, Dutch Mustard and headliners Bad Transmission see off the event in style.
Last year the One Big Showcase presented Exeter based outfit Pattern Pusher, made up of some our very own AMS lecturers. This year the the band were upgraded to the main stage of the festival itself - securing the opening slot of the event and opening things up on the sunny Friday afternoon. Big things are on the way for these guys, stay tuned.
"What a great success The One Big Showcase stage has been. Proper grassroots support with a policy of promoting top performing bands to the main and Woodland stages the following year"
- Steve Ryan, AMS Principle
Not only did the AMS students put on some memorable performances - perhaps even setting themselves up to follow the Pattern Pusher path and become main-stagers next year - but, behind the scenes student work in artist liaison, lighting and sound, as well as stewarding and merch sales provided some valuable industry experience, not to mention help with essential logistics, without which, One Big Showcase might not have been possible.
Of the success of the One Big Showcase, and its help to get independent bands and artists onto bigger, main stage venues along side the festival itself, AMS Principle Steve Ryan said: “What a great success The One Big Showcase stage has been. Proper grassroots support with a policy of promoting top performing bands to the main and Woodland stages the following year. No other festival offers this direct route as far as I know. Excellent policy.”
View our photo gallery from the event here.
Glasgow students assist KT Tunstall with live album
The task of recording, producing, mastering and burning a live album takes a little while right? Not for KT Tunstall! Her recent 'Live at the Barrowlands Ballroom' release was actually recorded, mixed, mastered and even burned to CD on the very same evening of the performance.
Album Artwork
Academy of Music & Sound students from Glasgow were on hand to help out by volunteering and assisting the production team. The album was recorded at the Barrowlands Ballroom on the 9th March 2019.
The following students from Glasgow's Academy of Music & Sound were involved:
Jamie McAuley, Heather Gaffney, Julie Cullen, Lillias Hobson, and Lauren Glancey, as was assistant Centre Manager for Glasgow, Marc Sharpe.
The students got to see the sound checks, watch the show, and the recording process, as well as assisting with the burning of the live CDs, packaging and distribution.
What a great experience!
Lewis Capaldi AMS Alumni gets number one hit
Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi– Edinburgh Academy of Music & Sound alumnus, is currently enjoying his 6th week as the UK’s Number One Single! His song ‘Someone You Loved’ has been on the charts for the past 14 weeks, with 10 weeks of that in the top 10, and 6 at Number One!
Lewis has been on a European tour supporting Bastille, and is also due to open for the Killers in Belfast this June, so it is coming as no surprise that he is selling out his first world tour. Lewis is a charming, funny and exceptionally talented addition to the Academy of Music & Sound hall of fame, and we are so proud of what he is achieving.
Keep a look out for his debut album ‘Divinely Unispired to a Hellish Extent’ that comes out on the 17th of May 2019.
Unsigned Bands and Artists WANTED – Your chance to play at Bearded Theory Festival 2019
Are you an unsigned band? Or write and perform your own songs? We’re looking for YOU to join us at Bearded Theory 2019!
The Academy of Music and Sound will be hosting a stage at the 3 day music festival, Bearded Theory 23th -26th May in Derbyshire, with the fantastic opportunity for unsigned bands and artists to play at our One Big Showcase stage.
This is the 2nd year of the One Big Showcase stage with 2 bands from last year going onto play the main stage, and 3 going on to play the Woodland stage in 2019.
The festival regularly sells out and has won an array of awards including Best Small Festival, Promoter of the Year, Best Family Festival, Gig of the Year and UK’s Best Independent Festival.
Performing acts have included Slaves, Peter Hook, Jake Bugg, Buzzcocks, The Levellers, Reverend & the Makers, Madness, Foy Vance and The Jam to name a few.
To get involved complete and submit the form below. Please try and provide as many links as possible, the more we can see you performing the better. We will contact the submissions who have been selected to play, after the submission deadline – December 31st 2018.
You must be over 18 to enter or have permission from a parent or guardian and able to make your own way to the festival.
If you played on the One Big Showcase stage in 2018, unfortunately you are not eligible to play in 2019. This is to give other bands and artists a chance to perform.
www.academyofmusic.ac.uk // Follow us on Twitter @Academyms and Instagram @ams_uk // www.beardedtheory.co.uk
JANUARY 2019 UPDATE APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Please note: Applications are now being considered and bands contacted
2018 One Big Showcase Saturday Highlight Video
Experienced Musicians
FAST-TRACK onto the final year of a BA (Hons). We map your career experience by Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) against the first two years of a degree allowing you to progress onto the final year and achieve a full BA (Hons) Study Online or in Glasgow, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Exeter and Southampton . For more info email: [email protected].
Giving the Power Back to the Musician
We’re very excited to be developing a new course for 2019 that has been created for the modern musician and producer, to equip you with the skills to be independent, multi-skilled and fluent with various forms of multi-media. Long gone are the days where you need a record deal to ‘make it’. We have created a degree that gives the power back to the musician. Giving you the ability to use different skills to draw-on different income streams, as well as produce, release and manage your own music.
Academy of Music and Sound Academic Partners