IT HAS hosted bands such as New Order, 5 Seconds of Summer and The Script.
So when Music students from Priestley College stepped in front of the microphones at Edge Recording Studio they knew they were experiencing something special.
“For me it was great because we learned about performance and production,” said songwriter Sam Dunne, a former pupil at Culcheth High.
“We learned it is not just about stepping into the recording studio and performing, there is a lot of preparation that goes into making sure you get a good sound.”
The talented musicians – many of whom dream of a career in the industry – were given the chance to experience life as a professional recording artist during a day at the studio in Alderley Edge.
Professional photographer Carl Gleavey also captured some atmospheric images of the bands so they had some stunning mementos of their day.
The students performed songs by well-known artists with equipment previously used by the likes of The Lottery Winners who celebrated their third hit album last year.
Sam, who is studying a triple Music pathway at Priestley, was in a group who performed ‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ by Jamie Cullum.
“The challenge was to make our versions sound as close to the originals as possible,” he said. “It was great to hear what we produced.”
Music students at Priestley College are prepared for careers in the industry whether they choose a vocational or A-Level Music pathway.
An opportunity to record in a professional studio has long been a part of the study experience.
Edge Recording Studios, near Alderley Edge, offers state-of-the-art digital and analogue recording in a comfortable environment.
It is owned by world-leading, TPI Sound Engineer of the Year nominee, John Delf.
Priestley Music Tutor Michael Grainger said: “The goal was to give students real world experience of being in a recording studio.
“They get to work with professional sound engineers and producers as well as use equipment you can only find in the top studios.”
