Rathbone learners take part in national music event

Jade Goodyear

Young people from Rathbone, a youth education and training charity, have mixed it with some of music’s biggest names, including Plan B at a national event for those keen on a career in creative arts.

Fifty Rathbone learners from across the UK joined over other 1,500 young people at the ‘Big Music Project Live’ event at The Brewery on Saturday 4 October.

The event was a chance for those aged between 14 and 24 years-old top meet top music industry professionals in everything from hair and makeup and music production to event management, security and backstage roles like rigging, lighting and set design.

Jade Goodyear, 18, from Rochdale, said: “It was an inspirational day because you got to see that even big stars have had struggles in life and that by working hard anything is possible.”

During the event a specially produced video featuring a song created by Rathbone learners from Wigan with support from youth creative arts company Odd Arts was played to everyone who attended.

“It was great to see some of the fantastic work that our learners have done promoted at a national event. The learners involved have come a long way through the project and really enjoyed taking part in writing and performing their tracks and making the videos,” said Mike Leyland, National Support Officer for Rathbone.

There were also workshops for budding performers from the BRIT School and East London Arts and Music (ELAM) and the event was rounded off by a concert which included top names such Plan B, Chase & Status, Rhydian, Labrinth and Eliza Doolittle.

The event is one of four national events across the UK organised to promote the ambitious ‘Big Music Project’ launched earlier this year, which aims to connect young people through their love of music by setting up 100 music hubs in disadvantaged communities across the UK.