Take on a challenge in the music capital of Britain

Jun 20 2007 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

LAST night, The Make Your Mark in Liverpool Team launched a new challenge for young people, designed to inspire, inform and connect them to peers and industry experts. This exciting initiative will help them take their first steps into the music industry, and where better to do this than Liverpool?

The eight month campaign, which aims to highlight the many opportunities available to young people aged 14 to 30, was launched at a glittering, star-studded bash in the legendary Parr Street Studios where music was provided by Liverpool-based Radio 1 favourites Ten Reasons to Live, as well as unsigned talents The Stays, Shane Beale and Rachel Wright.

The campaign is supported by a number of the city's key influencers, including Gary Millar, co-owner of Parr Street Studios, who delivered an inspirational speech last night at the launch, and the Make Your Mark in Liverpool Patron and Lime Pictures MD, Sean Marley, as well as all the local radio stations.

Sarah Bevan-Fischer, campaign director, said "This really is an exciting project for young people in Liverpool, and we have already received numerous offers of support from potential ambassadors, industry figures who have pledged their time and expertise, providing 'money can't buy' prizes. Liverpool is already known for its amazing music scene. What we aim to do is show young people how many opportunities are already out there."

The series of challenges is based round five key areas of the music industry; A&R (talent scouting for the next big talent), art and design, promotion, management and finally performance. The grand finale will take place at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in February 2008 where winners will be chosen for a people’s choice text vote as well as a panel of industry experts.

The challenges have been designed to ensure the young people involved get to meet as many people within the industry as possible. They will have the opportunity to ask questions of industry professionals while also networking with peers and learning new skills from the best people in the business."

The first challenge was announced last night – A&R or talent scouting. The team is looking for young people to make a demo of themselves if they are performers or in a band. Alternatively if you are just a music lover rather than a performer, you are encouraged to use facilities such as MySpace to find unsigned Liverpool City Region artists and produce a compilation CD of five tracks from up to five different artists, then just write down a few words to explain your choice and send it in to the team. It couldn't be simpler and you may end up winning some incredible, "money can't buy" prizes as well. Find out more at http:// www.myspace.com/ makeyourmarkinliverpool

MATT JOHNSON is chairman of the Mando Group