Popular Music students Amplify their career prospects

University of Northampton students picked up tips on how to break into the music industry when they visited a brand new BBC event.

A trio of final year Popular Music undergraduates spent time at BBC Music Introducing’s Amplify, which is geared towards musicians and those who want to work in the industry.

Kimberley Aldridge, who went to the event at the Excel in London earlier this month with course-mates Nicole Obi and Navneet Dhunday, said: “One of the lectures we went to was about how to self-release your own music with professionals from Kolbalt Music, Two Up, The Orchard and Ditto.

“This was really helpful as they went into great depth about the best steps to take.

“We also visited stands where companies, including record labels, were showing off their latest technology and explaining to you what they can offer you as a musician.”

Kimberley, who has ambitions to become a music producer, added:  “Amplify has helped me career-wise as it opened my eyes to the number of companies out there which I can approach for work experience to help widen my knowledge. It’s also a great place to network, which could really help to open doors for us.”

Popular Music Lecturer, Yoshe Watson, was also at Amplify in her role as a presenter/producer for BBC Introducing.

She said: “I was part of the Feedback Centre team, alongside others from BBC Introducing and music industry representatives.

“For three days, musicians brought us their tracks to listen to and we provided advice on how to take their music careers to the next level.

“I was blown away by the high quality music that we heard – and a couple of weeks later, I still have some of the songs stuck in my head.

“One of the things that I’ve always loved most about BBC Introducing is how exciting it is to be amongst the first to hear amazing new music, and the Feedback Centre at Amplify made that a face-to-face experience. Being able to be part of the journeys of the musicians who came to us was really, fantastic.”

Pictured from left are students Nicole Obi, Navneet Dhunday and Kimberley Aldridge with Oliver Morris, Director of UK Music.