Get a taste of music at new ‘free school’ open day

ELAM

One half of Chase & Status is inviting young people across the capital to attend taster days for a free music school opening next year.

London’s 16-19 year olds can now register to experience one day courses at East London Arts & Music (ELAM), a new college for music and digital arts founded by William Kennard (A.K.A Status) and Sir Nick Williams, head teacher of the BRIT School for a decade.

Kennard said: “We started ELAM as we realised there was so much talent out there that had potential but no direction or knowledge about the industry. We wanted to give that talent in and around East London a chance to develop and see how the music industry works.”

ELAM, which is based in Tower Hamlets and set to open in September 2014, will boast state of the art facilities and a chance to learn tricks of the trade from a team of music industry insiders – all free of charge.

‘Free schools’ such as ELAM are currently at the centre of controversy as some claim they will lower the quality of teaching by employing untrained teachers.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has also raised concerns over free schools not teaching the national curriculum.

Although ELAM focusses on music performance, business and production, Kennard assured ELL the ELAM Music Programme is “designed to provide all of the skills students would need for a career or higher study in the creative sector.

“ELAM leavers will be able to apply for a very broad range of jobs and degrees, including music”, he said and students will, “develop their employability skills through studies of literacy, numeracy, business and enterprise.”

Along with a BTEC in music technology, students on the programme will also gain, depending upon their ability, either GCSE, level 3, or A-Level English and maths qualifications along with a business level 3 diploma.

The ELAM music programme will additionally provide:  “professional mentoring, work experience and projects designed by leading experts”, Kennard said.

The college is partnered with some of the biggest names in the creative industry and endorsed by SBTV’s Jamal Edwards, Plan B and BBC Radio 1‘s Mistajam, who praises the school for delivering: “real industry standards to kids that deserve it.”

ELAM will be offering 72 places for it’s first year in 2014. Candidates selection will be based on  application forms and an assessment day, where young people will have to demonstrate evidence of ELAM’s values: excellence, collaboration, innovation, integrity and drive, along with a passion for music.

Interested teenagers can attend one of the free taster courses running on October 29, 30 or 31 in Stratford.

To sign up for a taster course visit: www.elam.co.uk/taster

 

 

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