Teens get some room to record in music course
WEXFORD teens eager to get their musical careers on track can help to get the show on the road by auditioning for this year’s Room to Record workshop.
Facilitated by the Orchard Recording Studio, the music and technology course will help the 20 chosen participants to develop their musical talent – be it singing, playing, recording or working behind the scenes. It will take place in the Presentation Centre over several weekends in October and November.
‘ The course is open to anyone with a keen interest in music,’ said Paul Dowling of Orchard Recording. ‘It is not a talent based competition and we encourage those interested in technical stuff as much as the musicians.’
The participants will be shown the ropes in all areas of music production, from recording to filming, stage set-up and everything in between. The tempo will build up over each weekend, culminating in a live performance organised entirely by the teens themselves.
‘We have nothing to do with the live show,’ explained Paul. ‘We give the participants the tools so that they can organise everything, down to the lighting and the booking of tickets. Post course, they will be able to run a gig anywhere in the world.’
The course was set up in 2012 in conjunction with Wexford County Council’s Arts Department following a review of how music was approached in the county.
‘ The review showed a gap in musical facilities that catered to young people, especially when it came to contemporary music. This course aimed to target this by teaching young people how they can be involved in industry-style live gigs,’ he explained.
‘Many of our participants have gone on to considerable career paths. some have gone on to BIMM to study music performance, while others are in Ballyfermot or Windmill Lane. Some of the Cornerboy members have taken part in the course, along with quite a few well-known singer-songwriters.’
The course is open to anyone between the ages of 15 and 18. Those who are interested in taking part are invited to attend an informal audition and interview on September 24 in the Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy. The guidelines for the interview are not strict; Paul is simply seeking eager participants who will work well as part of a team.
‘If you play an instrument, by all means bring it. If not, you don’t need to bring a thing,’ he said.
Those interested in taking part must book an audition through Orchard Studio.