Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 12

ANDREW TURNER MP A career in music - no problem! I recently paid a visit to Platform One, the not-for-profit, independent music college in Newport. In the unlikely surroundings of a converted warehouse, young people can study full time for a degree in Commercial Music, or follow other routes into careers in the music industry. I was inspired! There are students from the Island, joined by others from all over the UK and even further afield; the reputation of Platform One has grown over recent years. As you might expect it is a noisy environment, despite the sound-proofing of the well-equipped studios. But beyond that, what really caught my imagination was the dynamism and enthusiasm of the students and staff. In fact it can be hard to tell them apart, especially as degree students get opportunities to teach the younger ones, gaining real life experience of imparting their knowledge – and they get paid for it. The College is the brainchild of brothers Peter and Dave Pontin. Islanders themselves, they recognised there was plenty of local talent, but nowhere for it to be nurtured. Well, they put that right – in spades. There are no rose-tinted spectacles at Platform One; there are plenty of opportunities in the music business, as long as you realise it is hard work and that not everyone can be a rock star! Britain’s music industry is worth £5 billion, so as well as straightforward instrument tuition Platform One can open doors to teaching, DJ-ing, song writing, composing, music promotion and event management to name just a few of the opportunities. And what is 12 www.visitislandlife.com really impressive is that Platform One gives stu dents proper experience of all of them. There is even a Saturday rock school for over 100 young people aged 12 to 16, which costs the equivalent of £2.50 a session. And it isn’t just a handy place to leave the kids – they work towards a qualification equivalent to a GCSE - and they clearly love it. The reason I was so impressed is Platform One delivers opportunities outside the traditional ‘school, sixth form, then off to university’ model. Two brothers with vision, plenty of hard work and an element of being in the right place at the right time, have made a different path possible – and one that works. Not everyone realises what goes on down in Dodnor Lane, so I wanted to tell a few more people and let them know how special it is. But a parent put it so much better than I ever could when he told me; “Like many teenagers my daughter went through a really difficult stage but she has blossomed in the last year. Performing in front of a hundred people has given her self-confidence an enormous boost and I am so proud of what she has achieved. Platform One has changed her life.” Long may the Pontin brothers carry on doing such good work! The Riverside Centre, The Town Quay, Newport IW 01983 530808 [email protected] www.islandmp.org