The Academy of Music and Sound

The Academy of Music and Sound is an independent popular music college with centres in eight 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 in 1994 in Torquay,^[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 has grown to having a national network of 8 centres, based in Birmingham, Exeter, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Swindon, Gateshead and Hitchin, 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
• BTEC Level 2 and 3 (Funded)
• HNC and HND (Scotland)
• Foundation Degree,^[5] BA Hons Degree (Student Loans)
• 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]

Birmingham

Birmingham is the Academy of Music and Sound’s flagship centre. Based at 3 Lionel Street, in Birmingham city centre.

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 Grassmarket at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, underneath music shop ‘Red Dog Music’.

Glasgow

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

Swindon

The Academy of Music and Sound has been in Swindon since 2007 and relocated to The Bentley Centre, Stratton Road in 2010.

Hitchin

The Academy is based within North Hertfordshire College’s music facilities.

Gateshead

Opened in Gateshead in 2010.^[8]

Alumni

• Jade Richards - Edinburgh student featured prominently in 2011 X Factor programme.^[9]
• 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.^[10]
• Josh Kumra - Swindon student who wrote and featured on No.1 single "Don't Go" with Wretch 32, is signed to Sony RCA.^[11]

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]
• Gateshead College^[15]
• North Hertfordshire College^[16]
• Stratford College^[17]
• Petroc College^[18]
• Aylesbury College^[19]
• Edinburgh College^[20]
• Glasgow Kelvin College^[21]
• New College, Swindon^[22]

References