Blog » Work with the Music Moguls at Universal

Work with the Music Moguls at Universal

7th April 2014

A PRESENTATION ceremony takes place this evening for the graduates of last year’s unique initiative designed to help young people gain employment in the music industry.

The AccessThruMusic programme, developed through Armstrong Learning, is a 10-day course run throughout the year and open to all unemployed 16-24 year olds not currently in education or training.

It offers students the chance to learn the skills they need to gain employment through working with music industry professionals and Universal Records.

Minister for Employment and Learning Stephen Farry will open this evening’s ceremony in The Limelight, Belfast with a presentation by Radio One DJ, Phil Taggart and a performance from guest speaker, Conor Scott, who appeared on last year’s series of The Voice UK and worked with the students on the course.

A free show co-ordinated by the students will take place in The Limelight from 7pm, with acoustic sets from former participants such as Kat Little and Andreia Soares.

After this, the indie rock band Echo Raptors will perform a set, as their front man, Philip Rainey, was one of the first to participate in the project.

After a performance from Runaway Go will be a Hip-Hop Hour hosted by Michael Johnston, aka Eros the Prince.

Since completing the course, Michael has been signed by a London-based management agency, Titans, and now hosts his own hip-hop show weekly in Alley Cat.

Young DJs and music producers who attended the course will then battle it on stage as EDM takes over in a number of DJ battles before DJ Paul Hamill of Psycatron, one of the project’s mentors and an internationally renowned DJ, ends the night.

Commenting on the success of the course, Armstrong Learning NI business manager, Connor Fitzgerald, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Northern Ireland.”

“To have the chance to meet and work with mentors who have the experience and contacts is one thing, but also to be able to work with artists signed to a major record label is something that most of us could only dream of.”

“I would recommend it to anyone aged 16-24 who wants to find their key interest in life and requires a helping hand to kick-start their future.”

The course offers participants the opportunity to apply and be interviewed for a role within a record label. Once appointed, they work on the marketing campaign for a music artist signed to Universal.

The free project is part-funded by the European Social Fund and match-funded by The Department of Employment and Learning and provides lunch and travel for each attendee. 

Enrolment is now open for the next course commencing on April 7.

Visit http://accessthrumusic.wix.com/alni for more information.

Back to Top