The Academy of Music and Sound

The Academy of Music and Sound is an independent popular music college with centres in five locations in England and Scotland. The Academy delivers instrument specific courses validated by local partner college and Universities.

History

The Academy of Music and Sound started was founded in 1994 in Torquay by Kevin Harding,[1] initially delivering Music Technology courses and private instrument lessons. A second centre was opened in 2001 in Birmingham, above Europe's then biggest music shop Sound Control. By 2012, the Academy had a national network of 7 centres, based in Birmingham, Exeter, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Swindon and Gateshead, delivering training and education to over 800 students and[2] apprentices.

As of 2012, The Academy has been a successful first round bidder in the Government's Employer Ownership of Skills programme.[3][4]

Courses/Qualifications

The courses available at the Academy are in Music Practice, Performance, Technology and Production.

• Apprenticeships
• RSL Level 3 (Funded)
• HND (Scotland)
• Foundation Degree[5]
• Foundation Degree in Production
• BA Hons Degree (Student Loans)
• Master's degree
• Validated Teaching Qualifications

Facilities

The Academy of Music and Sound has national endorsement by leading music manufacturers. All amplification, guitar, bass amp and P.A's are supplied by Peavey. Acoustic and electronic drums, keyboards, guitars and bass are supplied by Yamaha. Cymbals are endorsed by Zildjian.[6]

Exeter

Re-located in 2010 to Coombe Street and opened by legendary Hawkwind’s guitarist Dave Brock.[7]

Southampton

The Southampton centre opened in 2005 and relocated to the current centre based in the St. Marys area of the city in 2008, Work started in 2015 for the new premises in the high street which opened November 2015.

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Centre is based in Edinburgh's creative hub Leith, close to The Shore, at 88 Giles Street.

Glasgow

The Glasgow centre opened in 2006, based in Jamaica Street.

Gateshead

Opened in Gateshead in 2010.[8]

Alumni

• Lewis Capaldi – Award winning Edinburgh student apprentice has gone on to be a chart-topping artiste worldwide.
• Tom Andrews – Exeter student signed by American chat show host and American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres’ record label 11/11 live on her national American chat show.[9]
• Josh Kumra – Swindon student who wrote and featured on No.1 single "Don't Go" with Wretch 32, is signed to Sony RCA.[10]
• Tristan Evans – Exeter student is the drummer in the award-winning band The Vamps[11]
• Eddy Thrower – Southampton student is the drummer in rock giant Lower Than Atlantis

Activities/master classes

The Academy is a host to master-classes[12] by nationally and internationally renowned musicians, producers and managers including: Albert Lee (Eric Clapton, The Everly Brothers), Laurie Jenkins (Kasabian, Beverley Knight), Guthrie Govan (Dizzee Rascal), Ash Soan (Adele, Robbie Williams), Katie Holmes (Professor Green, Lily Allen), Oli Saville and Nathan Curran[13] (Basement Jaxx), Luke Bullen and Arnulf Linder (KT Tunstall), Dave Troke (Overtones), Vintage Trouble, Vula Malinga (Mark Ronson, Sam Sparro), Simon Have (Seal, George Michael), Bruce Findlay (Simple Minds).

Academic partners

• University of Wolverhampton[14]
• North Hertfordshire College[15]
• Stratford College[16]
• Petroc College[17]
• Aylesbury College[18]
• Edinburgh College[19]
• Glasgow Kelvin College[20]
• New College, Swindon[21]
• University of West London[22]

References

1. "The Academy of Music & Sound Ltd". Archived from the original on 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
2. "Eighteen new apprenticeship starts in Scotland | News | Creative & Cultural Skills". Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
3. "Music industry wins Government backing for growth | News | Creative & Cultural Skills". Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
4. "Round 1 : Successful bids | Our work | UKCES". Archived from the original on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
5. "Search - University of Wolverhampton".
6. "Zildjian Home page".
7. "THE South West's only specialist rock and pop music college is to be …". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
8. http://www.thehubgateshead.co.uk/members/member/name/academy-of-music-and-sound^[permanent dead link‍]
9. "Ellen signs Devon teen singer Tom". 17 September 2010.
10. "Swindon singer Josh Kumra top of chart with Wretch 32". BBC News. 15 August 2011.
11. Vincent, Alice (2013-09-04). "The Vamps - New Music". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
12. "Big names signed up for music academy's masterclasses".
13. "Basement Jaxx drop in to Swindon music academy".
14. University of Wolverhampton
15. North Hertfordshire College
16. Gateshead College
17. Petroc College
18. Aylesbury College
19. Edinburgh's Telford College
20. Stow College
21. New College Swindon
22. "London College of Music | The University of West London". www.uwl.ac.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-19.