Groove Academy - School of Contemporary Music & Music Technology

Latest News

Photos by Terry Buckman 2007

After a busy and rewarding 2007, the academy is looking forward to an exciting 2008 with many opportunities lining up for our young groove agents.

This term our youngsters have been preparing their video entries for the Music for Youth awards to be held later this year in Birmingham. The three groups entering will be performing various covers and original items in the genres of funk, neo-soul and indie rock. We will also be undertaking various artist studies this term which will give our groove agents further insights in to the music of the new romantic genre of the 80s (among others). The academy will showcase their performances from the selected artists in May (date and venue TBC).

Check the Events page from time to time for details of upcoming performances.

Check out our Groove Academy Myspace profile to hear a small selection of our original material written, performed and produced exclusively by members of the academy.

The academy will be staging another fun-filled mid-term holiday music workshop in partnership with and sponsored by the Richmond Youth Service at the Hampton Youth Project, running from Monday 18 - Thursday 21 February. This is an open workshop where any enthusiastic youngsters aged 10 - 16 are invited to come along and participate in a fun-filled week of songwriting, recording in the HYP studio and jamming. No previous experience is necessary.

A showcase of the items prepared by those attending the activity week will be held at the Shooting Star hospice in Hampton for the young people in care and their families.

The academy is also pleased to announce the launch of a new weekly activity programme, 'Download' - in association with the Richmond Young Carers, Richmond Youth Partnership and the Hampton Youth Project (HYP). The programme will provide therapeutic group music sessions for the young carers of Richmond. The sessions will begin late February and run for an initial period of three months at the Hampton Youth Project rehearsal studio. The young carers will have an opportunity to showcase their efforts to friends and family.