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IT’S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL BUT I LIKE IT
By Anonymous Two Schools in Cornwall are cancelling normal lessons for the day to put rock and roll on the curriculum. Around two thousand pupils are set to benefit on October 9th and 10th when Brannel School, St Austell and Looe Community School are the first schools in Cornwall to host ‘YAMAHA-AL!VE’ a unique event aimed at motivating pupils to take up playing a musical instrument and discover their talent. Pupils from l2 local primary schools have been invited to join in the fun based around a visit and live performance by the up and coming Manchester rock band ‘AL!VE’, who are touring with Yamaha and poised for national stardom with the release of their debut album, ‘All Frequencies Covered’ on 7th October.
Over £100,000 worth of musical equipment and a twenty strong music industry team will travel to each School where pupils will be treated to a special presentation by the band’s management covering a host of subjects including how to get started, the importance of practice and musicianship, song-writing and the commercial side and career opportunities within the music business. Classrooms manned by musicians, songwriters, sound engineers and record producers will feature large displays of musical instruments provided by Yamaha and allow pupils to go "hands-on" throughout the day and even record their own CD. An essay writing competition will run in school to win a Yamaha electric guitar and amplifier presented by ‘AL!VE’ who will perform a full concert in the evening with all proceeds from tickets sales going to the schools.
Derek Kitt, County Adviser for Music told us, "This is such a unique opportunity for young people of all ages to be introduced to the benefits of music making. We welcome both YAMAHA and AL!VE to Cornwall and are extremely grateful to have received support from ‘Creative Partnerships’ for these events. Because ‘AL!VE’ started out while they were at school they offer a positive example of what can be achieved and their music makes the distinction between the stereotypical boy band and a real live Rock and Roll band, getting the benefits of playing across. When pupils leave AL!VE’s performance inspired to have a go and they will be able to do so straight away – it couldn’t be easier to get started.”
Lindsey Hall, Director of Creative Partnerships in Cornwall stated, "The evening gig will really spark their imagination and it will not be a one-off event. Through Creative Partnerships and its work with Cornwall Education Authority and Cornwall Youth Music Action Zone there will be many opportunities for individuals and groups to develop new skills in music and all the other aspects of recording and managing bands."
Prior to the day an organising committee of pupils has been formed to manage every aspect of the event and will have the chance to roadie for the band or be attached top sound and lighting technicians. After the concert pupils will have the chance to meet the band, get autographs and one lucky pupil will win a Yamaha Electric Guitar and amplifier to kick-start their very own music career.
Headteachers Ray Bell and Helga Turner told us, "The 9th and 10th October will be remembered as the days that many of our pupils made a decision to play a musical instrument, of that we are sure. This is a serious attempt to talk to pupils in their own language and style and with a form of music they relate to and respect. The band members are superb musicians and we want to communicate that learning a musical instrument is a skill for life that can lead to a broad range of careers. “
Since starting out while themselves at school six years ago ‘AL!VE’ have played over 400 gigs, made over 100 TV appearances including Live and Kicking, the National Lottery and This Morning and performed at Buckingham Palace after the Queen invited them to perform at Prince Charles's 50th birthday reception. AL!VE have won awards for their work in education from ‘The Prince’s Trust’, ‘The Arts Council of England’, ‘The Performing Rights Society Foundation’ and ‘Musicians’ Union’. ‘AL!VE’ are also perceived as ‘good citizens’ and have received an unlikely award for a rock band from ‘The Campaign For Courtesy’.
Karen Watts, Promotions manager for Yamaha said, "These events are proving the catalyst in creating the desire for young people to want to pick up a musical instrument and have a go. They sit well with Yamaha’s philosophy to enrich people’s lives through music and Yamaha believes that the future of the music business ultimately depends on the quality of music education in schools and the musical experiences of youngsters from events such as this.”
ENDS
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INTRODUCING………
Four years ago they hit the headlines when the Queen invited them to play a gig at Buckingham Palace for Prince Charles’s 50th birthday. Now rock band AL!VE are poised for national stardom. Fresh and exciting they boast a truly original sound, they write their own music, play their own instruments and are fantastic live performers.
AL!VE are a rock band for the future who release their debut album, ‘All Frequencies Covered’ on 7th October. Recorded at Lisa Stansfield’s ‘Gracieland’ studios and produced by ‘James’ founder, Gavan Whelan, the album is the first release on EFFIN RECORDS and distributed by Bianco Music through BMG. The release is supported by a national tour and full press and media campaign by DJPR, PR to Yamaha.
Since AL!VE formed six years ago they've played for the Queen, pressed the button on the National Lottery and stood in for Robbie Williams on 'Live and Kicking'. Their 400 strong gig list reads like an AA road map and with talent and songs that belie their years, AL!VE are proof that time on the road pays. Now aged 20 to 22, they have worked tirelessly playing every conceivable venue from schools to nightclubs, backstreet pubs to theatres, festivals, road-shows and universities. AL!VE have even performed twice at a women’s prison - once through a riot!
From July 1997 to December 1999 AL!VE performed regularly at Granada Studios in Manchester where they delivered an innovative programme of music based education lectures to over 50,000 teenagers. In December 2000, the closure of Granada Studios provided the impetus for AL!VE to take to the road and the band’s frightening musical proficiency earned them the endorsement of the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instruments, Yamaha with whom they have been touring high schools, colleges and Universities since, building a strong fan-base and platform for their material, while inspiring thousands to pick up an instrument and have a go. The tour continues this autumn starting in Cornwall on 9th October and by March 2003 will have visited 20 UK regions and the Republic of Ireland.
This article courtesy of http://www.speedingracing.com/.
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