Students take to the stage

8:32am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Three students from secondary schools in Newquay and Truro have spent the past two weeks engaged in a work experience project with Cornish based Ark Performing Arts Limited.

The Band X project was set up for the three students to research the music industry and formulate a virtual band with the option to take it further at the end of their placement. Kaya McLeod (15) from Truro, Ryan Rogers (14) from St Columb and Chris O’Brian (14) from Newquay all have a keen interest in the music industry and wanted a real life experience from their placements.

After meeting for the first time just last week, the three struck up a strong bond and worked tirelessly to research and prepare a pitch for their Band X project, an alternative rock band called “Dinero”. They decided that the band should be used as a platform for young local musicians to showcase their talents and prove that they are not all about the yob and ASBO culture that their generation is well known for.

Ryan and Chris from Treviglas and Kaya from Richard Lander schools had to produce a full specification for the new band including musical influences, image and background research on various genres of music. From this they then produced posters, an internet advertising campaign and underwent a mock press interview where they unveiled plans for the new band.

Will Baker, managing director of Ark Performing Arts Limited said, “We were approached by the students to come here for their work experience, but rather than just have them sitting around getting a very basic idea of what we do, we set-up Band X to allow them to have an input on a project which potentially could become a real life music industry product. They have been so professional throughout their placements and have really identified the need for such an outreach for young musicians in the area. Their knowledge and advice has been crucial in producing a product specification which meets the demands of the market.”

The Band X team will now be working with Ark over the next week to promote an audition to find five members of Dinero – vocalist, keyboardist, electric guitarist, bass guitarist and drummer all aged between 15-21 years old living in the Newquay / Truro areas. The successful five musicians will be offered a professional development contract with Ark which includes weekly tuition and band development, demo recording, writing support for album tracks, and opportunities to gig across the southwest.

Kaya McLeod one of the Band X team said, “I’ve really enjoyed the past two weeks, and this is a great chance for people my age to be involved with such a professional opportunity as this down here in Cornwall. We really hope that we can find the right people to make Dinero a success and possibly put Cornwall on the alternative rock map in the same way that Lost Prophets did for Wales. There is so much talent in the schools, but very little actually get a chance to play in real life situations, this opportunity will allow young people a chance to get out there and experience what it’s really like.”