MEL Advice Music & IT Training Centre

MEL Advice Training Centre has successfully been up and running for the past 25 years. We have provided a wide range of opportunities for young people with an interest in music to develop their knowledge and skills engaging them in activities to achieve long and short term goals, giving them advice and guidance through practical support and training.

Over the years we have developed a strong understanding of the needs of potential clients and have taken time to investigate methods of successful job search techniques and motivation.

Our aim is to ensure that clients referred to MEL Advice Training Centre by other organisations will be supported into job search and training opportunities within a comfortable environment (with qualified skilled staff) during the IT or music programme. MEL Advice Training Centre will provide constructive activities per week, Monday to Friday including weekends for each client. Spaces (with computers) are available for running courses.

MEL Advice Training Centre provides practical learning and development for musicians as well as structured job search and support. Our facilities include internet access, telephones, fax and photocopying machine, newspapers and leaflets providing information to placements. We have a fully new refurbished plush recording studio, microphone booth, live room and rehearsal room to provide professional training, advice and guidance and support on the music industry thus enabling us to accept more clients

Are you interested in playing an instrument or have a feel for singing and performing? You will learn everything you need to know about vocal techniques and writing your own songs/lyrics/rap, music production as well as building your confidence in preparation for performing on stage.

We work in conjunction with the Job Centre via Work Directions. Our clients are mainly musicians (and non-musicians) who have been unemployed for a period of 6 months to a year. The clients referred to us from Work Directions attend the centre for a 13 week programme where we are able to help them update their CV’s, write letters, complete job application forms and build on their confidence so that they can help themselves in gaining full or part-time employment within the music industry or other prospective employers.
 
Through the relationship with Work Directions, we offer clients who are seeking work in the music sector a chance to develop their knowledge and skills through an industry-specific training package. Our 13 week programme provides clients with the opportunity to attend lectures by industry professionals and artists, visit production / mastering studios, music publishing houses and learn about music law. New Deal clients also have the opportunity in gaining access to our recording studio and rehearsal rooms to undertake vocal and music courses, as well as various workshop training.

We have a range of contacts within the music industry and aim to provide work placements for all clients. Sources include recording studios and record companies giving them experiences within the music industry. We can also contact a number of employers seeking potential trainees who we regularly keep in contact with. We will discuss with each client their individual goals and create and action plan providing a music package accordingly.

We will endeavour to assist clients into opportunities within the music business and other sectors of work accordingly on long or short term goals. We will monitor each individual’s progress during their search for opportunities by keeping a fortnightly check on our clients using our Progress Review Forms, ensuring they receive full support.

Once our client has settled into their environment, we will keep a regular check on their progress making sure they have full support and have adjusted in their new role.

This course allows the client to acquire a wide vocal range, a comprehensive repertoire and the ability to work within any given style, including: singing, rap, spoken word and poetry. Emphasis is placed on the development of a secure and sustainable vocal technique. Harmonies provide the opportunity to demonstrate advanced vocal skills with trained ears to sound and tone. Each client is encouraged to build their personal repertoire of songs/work, using a diversity of styles. Recording and microphone techniques are taught at MEL Productions on a 32 track Mackie, Yamaha O2R or 42 track Audient Mixing Desk in our studio. Further preparation includes performance, movement, confidence building and motivation. Core vocal skills are backed by relevant subjects, for example guitar and piano tuition, that will expand the clients range of versatility.

This course is designed for aspirant young (up and coming) singers wishing to develop the necessary skills for continuance onto further training for professional commercial employment. With the continued growth of technology, the demand for the commercially trained singers in all areas of the media of the industry is flourishing. The fundamental aim of the course is to encourage the development of artistically versatile individuals with highly polished performance skills.

Learning to sing, rap and improve spoken word and poetry techniques on our courses at MEL Productions are taught either within a group session or on a one to one basis. Our range of voice workshops are for beginners through to more experienced candidates. We cover a wide range of musical styles from RnB, hip-hop, ragga, dub-step, techno, soulful garage, jazz, soul, reggae, rock, gospel, pop and classical. All clients will have the chance to expand their knowledge taking away with them a package containing a biography, CD and photos, as well as a Certificate of Attendance of their achievements.