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Maximo Park member thinks new music school will be a hit

TWO famous faces from the world of music were on Tyneside to officially open a new academy set up by industry experts to help propel young talent into the music industry.

Maximo Park’s guitarist Duncan Lloyd and former Simple Minds band manager, Bruce Findlay, were in Gateshead to show their support for the Academy of Music and Sound as it officially opens in the borough in partnership with Gateshead College.

Mr Lloyd, who formed Maximo Park in 2000 when he moved to Newcastle from Derby to study art at Northumbria University, said: “The Academy of Music and Sound is a fantastic centre which gives young people the opportunity to study in an area that they are really passionate about and to perfect their musical skills.

“There are so many talented young musicians but the music business is a tough industry to get in to and to be successful you have to know how it works and build your contacts.

“I’m glad that the Academy is here to help students with practical advice and visits from leading industry experts.”

The pair visiting the new facility met some of the first young people who will be training at the Academy and were treated to a special performance by the students.

They also got to have a sneak peak of the new site, which houses practice and performance areas with access to instrument training for students interested in honing their guitar, bass, vocal, drum or keyboard skills.

Tim Poolan, head of creative industries at Gateshead College, added: “Through the Academy our young people will be able to study at a professional music school right here in the North East that is run by professional musicians with first-hand experience with the music industry.

“The training programmes we are offering are all based on practical learning. Our students will receive the practical skills, advice and experience needed in order for them to have a real chance to be successful in gaining employment in the music industry.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .