12/09/2006
Ten young British artists will be competing for the Number 1 slot in the first ever Schools Top 10. The chart is the centrepiece of the first National Music Week, which was launched today at Pimlico School in London. School students will receive free music tokens to buy or download their favourite tracks, with the highest 'seller' topping the chart.
Jazz, folk, classical, rock and pop are all represented through an eclectic mix of tracks from groups and solo performers. Seth Lakeman, Soweto Kinch, Natasha Marsh, Matt Willis and Lil' Chris - who was discovered through Channel 4's Rock School - are all in the running. The other five artists are All Angels, Betty Curse, Keisha White, Mr Skillz and his Crazy Girls and Trinity Stone .
The launch, which was hosted by musician and Classic FM presenter Myleene Klass, began with an accomplished performance of Charles V Stanford's Beati Quorum Via by one of Pimlico School's singing groups. Individual pupils were then invited to present each of the ten artists with a silver disc to mark their inclusion in the Schools' Top 10 shortlist.
Saxophonist Soweto Kinch echoed many of the artists when he said he felt privileged to be sharing his music with school students. "It's very important to me that people get the chance to discover underground music." Matt Willis added, "It's good to be part of getting kids more into different kinds of music. My school didn't really encourage it."
National Music Week will run in secondary schools in England from 16-20 October 2006 with a series of whole school and classroom-based activities entitled 'My Music'. Peter Jamieson from the BPI, which is supporting the initiative alongside the Music Manifesto and ERA representing music retailers, said he hoped the initiative would establish itself for future years. "We'd like to see it as an annual event on the education and music industry calendar."
Pimlico School Head Teacher Philip Barnard took the opportunity of hosting the launch to appeal for a new patron for the work done by his school's Special Music Scheme, highlighting funding challenges ahead. The last word though went to Myleene Klass who urged students to keep up their music studies. "It's a great outlet for your talent and your creativity. Music brings people together and gives them a good time. I was lucky to go to schools that felt the same. So, please, keep it up!"
Download the PDF below for more details and information on the ten participating artists.