YouTube sensation helps judge student bands contest

Young musicians from seven high schools were supported by Northbrook College’s music department for the performance, watched by more than 200 people.

Two choirs plus 18 individual performers and groups from Davison High, Durrington High, Steyning Grammar, Shoreham Academy, Dorothy Stringer, Millais School and The Forest School took to the stage, with sound and lighting set up by Northbrook students.

Joining the judging panel this year was YouTube sensation Hobbie Stuart, a singer and songwriter from Brighton.

This year’s prizes included studio time to record an EP in Northbrook’s new cutting-edge recording studio, rehearsal time for performers, songwriting masterclasses with professional musicians and prestigious performance slots at local festivals and venues. Sound Guitars in Worthing also donated an electro-acoustic guitar as a prize.

Julie Singleton, senior marketing officer, said: “S’koolfest has grown year on year. Not only does it give young musicians and young sound engineers the opportunity to perform on the professional stage, it also helps to forge connections with emerging music artists.

“In 2013, musicians shared the stage with Kingsfoil. Last year, ex-Northbrook students and rising stars High Tyde, performed and joined the judging panel.”

Northbrook’s new studio complex was opened in April by Wolfgang Flur from electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk.

Designed and built to professional acoustic standards by The Studio People, the facility boasts the best of British analogue mixing desks with the latest in Digital Audio. The state-of-the-art complex is one of the largest and best-equipped educational resources in the UK.

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