The School of Popular Music Jersey hosted its annual Summer Showcase at Chambers on Monday 8th July.
This event marked the third year of celebrating the hard work and talent of some of Jersey’s students and tutors.
The showcase featured performances by students of varying ages, including Tino, a cool as can be eight-year-old drummer, through to 18 years of age that includes a band called 4K formed at the schools recent Easter week. Each tutor selected a standout student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and growth in their musical abilities.
The event also saw the first ever performance from School of Popular Music (SOPM) minis, a Saturday club for 4–7-year-olds that the school has run since May. The club provides a more affordable access to music education for younger children on multiple instruments in a sociable environment. The group delivered an adorable performance of Yellow Submarine that for many was the first time they had appeared on stage.
Phoebe Willson, who runs SOPM with her fiancée Harrison Collins, said: “The showcase is always such a great event to run. It allows all the staff to get involved and gives the students the chance to challenge themselves performing on a big stage. It’s important to provide opportunities like the Summer Showcase; getting tutors and students out of the classroom to learn how to handle nerves in the real-world and to share the skill they work so hard at.”
The couple have plans for a new recording studio that is due to open in the autumn: “Many of our students are unaware of just how remarkable they are and the significant progress they’ve made. We can’t wait to get our studio up and running in September, made possible with the support of Sure, which will allow us to showcase their incredible talents. We want to provide that steppingstone so they can experience recording and releasing music at a young age and specifically on Island. It’s so important to nurture young talent here in Jersey and show them how they can flourish.”
