Firas and Felix Return, Impressed at Music Technology Showcase
Hugo and Ted are current Year 13 pupils at the Grammar School and recently proved themselves at the Music Technology Showcase, which took place on Thursday 9 May. The event was also hosted by music industry professional Firas Waez (LGS 2001), and the pair were watched by Felix Buxton (LGS 1988), one half of Brit Award winning duo, Basement Jaxx.
The evening began with Hugo performing live electric guitar, mimicking the role of a session musician, whilst Ted monitored the extensive set-up in the control room to ensure a professional-sounding recording.
The 16-channel mixing desk, extensive outboard equipment and Ableton Live DAW are tools found in professional studios. Ted balanced the channels, applied EQ and compression, and utilised the digital and tape effects processors for ambience.
After proving their worth in a live recording context, the pupils then shared music they had written and produced with the audience. Felix, who has spent his entire professional life crafting electronic music, picking up Best British Dance Act at the Brits in 2004 and headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2005, was particularly interested in the unique sound worlds the pupils had created using synthesis.
"It was lovely to pop back. Whenever I return, I am so impressed with the pupils I meet."
Felix was pleased to be back at his old school. He says, ‘It was lovely to pop back. Whenever I return, I am so impressed with the pupils I meet, they seem to exude such a discerning confidence. I’m sure there is still a great range, but it gives me hope for the future to meet such well-adjusted, thoughtful youngsters.
Felix was very impressed with the William Charles Recording Studio. He adds: ‘It’s pretty amazing, a different world from when I was at school, it really gives the pupils a great opportunity to explore their creativity and get the skills for a modern multi-media society.’
The William Charles Recording Studio is a cutting-edge recording studio with a state-of-the-art mixing console, acoustics and equipment that allows the pupils’ creativity and talent to shine and push boundaries. It was made possible thanks to the generosity of Dorothy Huston, who left a gift in her Will in memory of her late father, William Frederick Charles, a LGS alum, Governor and founder of the famous Zenobia perfume shop.
"The Recording Studio is a great development, and it's good to be placing an equal amount of importance on the creative disciplines as the school does in sport for example."
Firas adds, ‘The Recording Studio is a great development and it’s good to be placing an equal amount of importance on the creative disciplines as the school does in sport, for example. Both are equally rewarding and confidence building. I think the staff are great, and it’s been amazing to work with them. You can tell they have a real passion to help the next generation and are pushing to forge links with alumni to help people further realise their potential.’ Hugo and Ted have taken full advantage of the musical expertise on offer at Loughborough Schools Music throughout their Grammar School journey. Hugo has been working with professional-level DAWs since Year 8 and has engineered a variety of projects since Sixth Form. Ted can often be found in one of the Department’s two studios, splicing samples into captivating beat tracks.
Hugo, who is going on to study Music at university, said the experience was great. He spent time breaking down music he had written, showing everyone how he had made and manipulated each track. He says: ‘You don’t really get the opportunity that often to just sit and go through all the fun details and bits of a song that you spend so long fine-tuning.’
Ted says, ‘It was a fantastic experience just sharing my music in that type of environment.’ Ted shared music from his upcoming EP, which is set for release this autumn. Both pupils received invaluable feedback and advice from the distinguished guests and were encouraged to continue creating music – no matter the category, style or genre.
Firas Waez, who has been mentoring the two pupils, said they are both ‘incredible talents’ and he hopes they will go far in the professional music industry in the future.
He says, ‘It’s no longer just about academia and education in a purely functional sense; what has been nurtured is the culture and eco-system around the schools that aim to turn out well-rounded individuals. There is plenty on offer at LSF to try your hand at, and that gives the opportunity to find your passion, whatever that may be.’
‘Music, by way of example, isn’t just the art or the function of creating a consumable musical item; with it comes layers of skills that you only learn by being immersed in it – much like sport, it can develop your skills in communicating, working as part of a team, devising a strategy, being disciplined enough to deliver.’
Rob Abba, one of the Music Technology teachers said “Over the last two years the boys have developed massively as music composers and producers. It was a delight to hear the amazing work produced by them for their own projects, over and above the requirements of the Music Technology course. No wonder the industry professionals were so impressed!”