Two of Scotland’s leading lights in dance music, Stephen Kirkwood and Steven Galloni, are throwing their musical prowess behind Scotland’s education system by launching a new campaign designed to reinvigorate music curriculums and inspire Scotland’s next generation of DJ stars.
Inspired by the recent news that the number of children receiving music tuition has dropped by more than 1200, the campaign, Masters of Music, will see a new music-led workshop made available to schools across Scotland from next month.
Each workshop will focus specifically on building DJ and music production skills, offering school children between the ages of ten and eighteen – primary seven through to sixth year – the chance to work with state-of-the-art recording equipment, spinning vinyl and operating a mixing desk.
Throughout February, Kirkwood and Galloni will hold three workshops per week at no cost. Schools, classes, individual teachers and students from across Scotland, are being invited to sign up at MastersofMusic.info.
Music advocates Stephen Kirkwood and Steven Galloni, the brains behind the campaign, have delivered music-related workshops to more than 30,000 school children across Scotland since launching their not-for-profit company, SKapades, in 2015. To kick-off their latest campaign – focused specifically on DJ skills, the duo held the inaugural ‘Masters of Music’ session today (pictured) in Glasgow’s SWG3, one of the city’s leading music venues.
Stephen Kirkwood, co-founder of SKapades, said, “More than ever, people are recognising DJ decks as a musical instrument – alongside the piano, violin or guitar, but worryingly all forms of music are under threat in Scotland’s schools. We hope this campaign brings fresh awareness to this crisis – and it is a crisis, and gives school children, from all walks of life, increased access to music.”
Steven Galloni added, “From Calvin Harris to Hudson Mohawke, Scotland is a hot-bed of talent when it comes to dance music, but most of those coming through the ranks talk about learning the required skills while holed up in their bedrooms. We want to change that; learning production and DJ skills should be made available to everyone as part of music classes in school. It shouldn’t be something that’s hard to access, but rather a choice for young people interested in music making.”
In addition to free workshops, the campaign will also see the duo host a Pod Cast designed especially for young children interested in music making, covering topics such as – ‘how to break into music’, ‘top tips for becoming a DJ’ and ‘required skills to make it as a music producer’.
Dougal Perman, Executive Chair, Scottish Music Industry Association, said, “The demise in free-to-access music tuition in schools is devastating to Scotland’s culture, society and the future of our music industry. Our members, my colleagues and I are deeply concerned about the current plight of Scottish instrumental music education. So I’m delighted to learn about the valuable work being done by Stephen Kirkwood and Steven Galloni through their inspiring Masters of Music project.
“The Scottish Music Industry Association exists to represent and develop all forms of musical endeavour regardless of genre or its place in the music industry ecosystem. We are as passionate about electronic music as we are about classical, folk, world, jazz, rock, pop or any other style. Despite the best efforts by many local authorities, if access to learning to play music is restricted then less people can be included and, very sadly, economic privilege can determine who gets to benefit from the numerous benefits offered by musical education.
“Electronic music is close to my heart. The craft of the DJ is as valid a form of musical expression as any acoustic, electric or electronic instrument. Scotland has produced many renowned DJs from Slam to IDA, Harri and Dominic to Nightwave, Optimo to Eclair Fifi and Jackmaster. Projects like Masters of Music help introduce young people to DJ skills and culture and help get the next wave of talent on the right track.”
For further information or to sign up for a free workshop, visit the Masters of Music website.