Long-surviving label (and Sony subsidiary) Columbia Records has partnered-up with The Institute Of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) by sponsoring its Songwriting course.
As well as the fundamental writing aspects, the London-based course tackles 'working with producers', 'marketing, promotion and publishing' and 'how to work the industry to your advantage'. So, in theory, input from a label executive is invaluable.
Of course, in the current economic climate (or 'ever', for that matter) a record company isn't going to devote time, energy and money out of the kindness of its corporate heart. So what's in it for them? "The nurturing of fresh talent is our number one priority," says Columbia's managing director Mike Smith. "To that end we are big fans of ICMP and we are really looking forward to working with them."
Next big thing
There you have it: students gain useful advice and Columbia signs the next Phil Selway before they've even graduated. Yes, Radiohead's drummer is a former pupil.
The one-year course starts in September 2009. Places are limited so contact the ICMP directly if you're interested.
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