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Music Technology Workshop

Backwell School Music Department held their first ever Technology and Music Day on Wednesday 29 September. 

70 students took part, from years 9 -13, including 7 students from Gordano School (who is also a member of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership). 

The Department invited three inspiring voices in the field of music technology to speak to the students about their work and to lead some workshop style activities. 

  • Faith Everitt: a former Backwell School student who is aspiring to be a songwriter. Currently studying Commercial Music at Bath Spa University 
  • Jemma Jeffery: a Music student at Cambridge University specialising in composition using ’everyday sounds and noises’ and also a former Backwell School student. 
  • Maddie Jones: a singer, songwriter and producer who creates ‘electronically-tinged’ pop music. MADI won the best solo act at the Cardiff Music Awards in 2019. 

 

The speakers were invited into the school to champion development, engagement and career opportunities in what is typically a male dominated industry. 

Students attended three workshops, one with each guest speaker, looking at composition, production and technology. 

All three sessions were immersive, gripping and at times mind blowing! Jemma and the students recorded sounds that could be created from simple everyday objects that could be found in the lecture hall. They then produced, manipulated and warped these sounds to create a unique composition. The students were fascinated by how simple sounds could be turned into something so creative. 

Faith demonstrated how she prepares to record her music. Using digital programmes she demonstrated how layering up each element of the music, instruments and vocals creates a live performance track. The level of detail and depth that Faith puts into each song was really impressive. Faith also delivered industry advice for pupils and top tips on how to navigate the professional world of live music and music production. 

Students also learnt how technology is used as part of a live set; MADI stripped back her current live performance and then rebuilt the set in front of the students so they can see how she uses specialised programmes to support her at gigs.  

A fantastic day was had by all. Mr Drew Salida, Teacher of Music here at Backwell School, organised the day and said “The day was really stimulating; students were shown ways to create and perform utilising technology which can often be seen as imposing and difficult to master. The ideas and access our guests gave to the students can be used instantly in their project work and showed them that with practice they can develop their skills to become talented music technicians.  Thank you to Maddie, Jemma and Faith for their time and for inspiring our students.”