MUSICIANS who have toured the world with legendary acts have been at Halesowen College today showcasing the courses available at a new £9.5m music institute coming to Brierley Hill.

The Resonance Roadshow rocked the college in Whittingham Road today and will visit colleges up and down the country to show prospective students what the brand new state-of-the-art music institute is all about.

Resonance, which will be based in the Cable Plaza building at The Waterfront Business Park, will open to students in September 2020.

Organisers of the roadshow said the tour aims to highlight the myriad of careers available in the music industry - many which are covered by the degree courses on offer at Resonance.

Co-director Rick Benton, who plays keyboard with West Midlands icons Magnum, assembled a band of talented musicians to show how Resonance could kick-start a career in the music industry.

Jacquie Carman, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, at Halesowen College, said: “We were delighted to welcome the roadshow to inspire our learners to pursue a career in the music industry."

Singer with the roadshow band was Samantha Dorrance, aged 27, who while being a singer/songwriter in her own right, is also a children’s TV presenter and face of the Disney Channel.

She was joined by guitarist Greg Platt Lake, a session musician who has been working professionally since age of 16, and has worked all over the world with acts such as Steve Winwood and Robert Plant.

They were joined by session drummers Lloyd Draker and Richard Kirk, who has played with the likes of Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth, Limehouse Lizzy and the Grey Goose Blues Band; bassist Dan Clark who has played alongside Steve Vai, Scott Matthews and Beverley Knight; and Rick himself on the keys.

Rick said: “These roadshows will be a unique way for us to demonstrate to young people considering a career in music how great coming to Resonance will be for them.

"It will be one of the best institutes of its kind in the country and I have no doubt that a lot of people will thrive in the learning environment we are creating.”

As well as performing songs and engaging students in music techniques, the sessions will also aim to provide a wider picture about careers in music.

David Barnard, fellow co-director at Resonance, said: “One of the things we are keen to stress here at Resonance is that while a career on stage is something that many will aspire too, there are lots of other careers in music you can follow.

“From the expertise needed for a live show to happen, to things like music teaching, the opportunities within the industries are endless.

"The point of these shows is to show the students that whatever their ambition is within music, Resonance can help them achieve it.”

Resonance will be offering degree courses in Popular Music Performance, Popular Music Production, Popular Music Performance & Production, Digital Music and Music Business from 2020.

Places at Resonance will be limited to ensure that students get the best teaching and practical experiences. Applicants will need between 96 and 112 UCAS points before being invited to audition for their place.

Courses will be offered under a franchise arrangement from Solent University in Southampton.