Drop The Mic

FROM performing on stage to getting behind the sound desk, young musicians from Leigh and across South Essex are getting the chance to experience what life in the music industry is really like.
A recent Drop the Mic event at The Fickle Pickle in Westcliff, saw young musicians aged seven upwards taking to the stage – and getting hands-on experience behind it too.
The project is run by The Song School in Southend, with project manager and music coach Billy Hoyle, also known locally as a member of Leigh-based band All Roads, helping to oversee the programme.
Unlike a traditional open mic, Drop the Mic gives young people the opportunity to learn about the whole live-music operation, including sound, lighting, stage management, event production and hosting.
And there is now a chance to get paid for that experience, too.
Introduced this summer, paid host roles for musicians aged 16-plus are giving young people responsibility for helping to run the events while developing professional skills.
The recent month’s host was 19-year-old Jeremy Middleton from Westcliff.
As well as introducing the acts and performing a short set himself, Jeremy helped register performers, liaise with the stage manager and sound desk, and make sure the young musicians had everything they needed.
“Not only am I gaining knowledge about what it’s like to perform live, and build stage presence and confidence, but I’m gaining people skills, management skills, a bit of promotion and organisational skills,” he said.
Mr Hoyle said the paid host scheme was helping bridge the gap between being interested in music and understanding how to work in the industry.
“It’s a way of us providing opportunities for them to go to that next level,” he said.
For 19-year-old drummer and sound engineer Stuart Hayton from Southend, that progression has already happened.
For young people around Leigh and South Essex who want to get involved in music, Drop the Mic offers a route into both sides of the stage – and a chance to start building real-world experience while they’re still young.
For further information visit: thesongschool.co.uk.
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