College music talent set to wow Village Green

College music talent set to wow Village GreenThe Spank Wednesdays will be performing at Village Green. Picture byPaige Guiver

South Essex College is proud to be once again supporting Village Green in Chalkwell Park with a showcase of student talent.

Music Performance students will take to the stage on 13 July to entertain the crowds while Music Technology students will provide important support in roles such as sound engineers, stage manager and backline support.

A variety of acts featuring current and former South Essex College students will perform at the event, including the headline act, Busted, with member James Bourne being a former Music Performance student.

Matthew Milne, South Essex College Music Curriculum Co-Ordinator, said it was set to be a fantastic event.

He said: “The College is proud to have such a fantastic pool of talent to showcase, both from current and former students. Village Green is the perfect opportunity for our students to experience a real life event to allow them to progress and develop and also a great way to inspire musicians of the future.”

Student talent will be showcased across a number of stages such as the Oak Stage where you can catch artists at the beginning of their journey in music. Each act chosen to perform shows potential for a future career in music.

Performing here will be Level 3 Music Performance student Caitlin King who has already released her own EP, Flower Crown, which was well received locally.

The IDEA13 Stage is dedicated to local rock bands. The opening act is The Spank Wednesdays, a formative ‘rugby club rock’ band made up of Level 3 Music Performance students Roberto Mann, Tyler Chance and former student Jack Tobin.

The Spank Wednesdays released their own EP earlier this year, with their songs Canvey Man and Bangers and Mash becoming highly popular in their scene.

The Village Green Stage is the festival's main stage, with premier acts performing there all day. Amongst the home-grown line-up are Asylums and Beckie Margaret, both signed to Cool Thing Records.
Asylums' guitarist, Jazz Miell, is a former Music Performance student, while Luke Branch (frontman) and Michael Webster (bass player) are current lecturers in the South Essex College Music Department.

Former Music Performance student Beckie Margaret has been tipped for a bright future in her musical career, Her songs has been featured several times in the past year on BBC 6 Music. And of course, Busted close Village Green with former student James Bourne showing just what talent from Southend can achieve.

Village Green takes place in Chalkwell Park from 11am-9pm on Saturday 13 July. You can get ticket from www.villagegreenfestival.com


List of South Essex College acts:

Oak Stage
Harrison Lemaitre, Level 2 Music Performance, all day
CHLO (Chloe Payne), Level 3 Year 1 Music Performance, 11.30am-11.50am
Violet Tide (Alfie Richer) - Level 3 Year 2 Music Performance, 1pm-1.20pm
Emily Florence (Emily Rix) - Level 3 Year 2 Music Performance, 1.30pm-1.50pm
Caitlin King, Level 3 Year 1 Music Performance, 4.30pm-4.50pm
Eva Tobin, former Music Performance degree student, 5.30pm-5.50pm

IDEA13 Stage
The Spank Wednesdays (Roberto Mann, Tyler Chance and Jack Tobin), Level 3 Year 2 Music Performance, 11.30am-noon
The Waterfalls (Sam Potter), Level 3 Year 1 Music Technology, 1pm-1.30pm

Main Stage
Ruti (Will Hatton), former Music Performance student and current lecturer, 1.50pm-2.20pm
Beckie Margaret, former Music Performance student, 2.40pm-3.10pm
Asylums (Jazz Miell), former Music Performance student, 3.30pm-4.10pm
Busted (James Bourne), former Music Performance student, 8pm-9pm

Support & tech roles
Chloe Payne, Stage Manager, Level 3 Music Performance student
Max Osher, Sound Engineer, Level 3 Music Technology student
Sam Potter, Backline Tech, Level 3 Music Technology student
Alfie Richer, Backline Tech, Level 3 Music Performance student
Steven Miller, Backline Tech, former Music Performance degree student
Tilly Quigley, Stage Manager, former Music Performance degree student
Sarah Jarvis, Assistant Stage Manager, former Music Performance degree student

Success stories

Chloe Wade

My confidence has boosted massively and my work is recognised here. Last year I won who wants to be an entrepreneur and student of the year in business and logistics

South Essex College Group student, Chloe Wade, has been accepted as an Apprentice Marketing Executive for the BBC in White City.

Chloe is currently studying Level 3 Interactive Digital Media. She previously studied business at the college before swapping over to the Digital Media course. Other colleges didn’t supply the course she was looking for, and she felt that South Essex College Group provided the perfect environment and location to suit her needs.

Chloe applied for the apprentice position on Boxing day in December 2022 after finding the advert on Indeed. The interview process took six months and there were six different stages of the interview. Originally, there was supposed to be only five stages, however towards the end on the interview process it was whittled down to Chloe and another candidate so the BBC added an extra interview on top. The role is for a Marketing Executive Level 4 for 18 months, as well as being full-time with one day-a-week apprentice study through the online external provider.

When asked about the support from tutors, Chloe said: “They were all so encouraging, as each stage went on I informed my tutors. Darren who teachers audience theory, was so interested and excited, he was helping me prepare for everything and teaching me certain areas such as core values to put me ahead of everyone. They were so supportive, and I don’t think I would of got this far without their help.”

Chloe enjoys the flexibility at the college and secured work experience at which she created content for a zen and holistic company. She said: “The college offers such a variety of courses and freedom. 

“The courses are structured, but you get freedom as well, for example for my final project I chose to rebrand a cosmetic palette, where as another student created a music video. You all have the same criteria but freedom too. If you are worried, try it and give it a shot, the opportunities here are so wide.” 

She added: “My confidence has boosted massively and my work is recognised here. Last year I won who wants to be an entrepreneur and student of the year in business and logistics. My work recognised given me a boost. I work really hard and I’m so proud of how far I have come. The college appreciates you as an individual and gives you praise when you do work really hard.”
Chloe hopes to have her own business one day, in marketing, doing social media and content creating. As well as hoping to study Level 5 and 6 at the BBC.
 

Ethan Khumalo

Ethan hopes to produce music in games production as a career and performs rap and hip hop as well as his studio work. His final message to anyone struggling with autism or any mental health issue is: “Remember it’s okay to be not okay.”

South Essex College student Ethan Khumalo, 20, from Southend on Sea has taken part in a BBC documentary series ‘Inside Our Autistic Minds’, which is presented by wildlife expert Chris Packham who himself lives with autism.

Ethan studies Games Design at the college’s Centre for Digital technologies in Basildon and has progressed from a Level 2 course through to currently studying for a degree. Ethan was asked to participate through his involvement in the Anna Kennedy Online charity which aims to raise autism awareness.

Ethan said that he enjoyed the whole filming process and that Chris Packham was really down-to-earth. He commented: “I learned a lot about how TV crews work and really got along with Chris. I am really excited about the show.”

 

Talking of his autism, Ethan explained that he prepared in advance before attempting his studies. He said: “With autism and other mental health issues preparation makes you feel more comfortable and you have to make the best of your abilities. You have good days and bad days the same as anyone but personally, If I have moments where it doesn’t go so well, music helps me.”

Ethan’s tutor, Rama Maccha said: Ethan is a dedicated and committed student who never misses a deadline. He is wonderful with sound and has helped younger students with their projects.”

Rathi Raman, the Head Basildon Town Centre Campus (BTC) would like to thank all the staff and students who volunteered to take part in this filming, and to the Estates team at Basildon Campus for providing hospitality to Chris Peckham and the BBC crew on the day of filming.

Ethan hopes to produce music in games production as a career and performs rap and hip hop as well as his studio work. His final message to anyone struggling with autism or any mental health issue is: “Remember it’s okay to be not okay.”

To watch the episode, follow the below link:

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001jgbw/inside-our-autistic-minds-series-1-episode-2

For more information on the Anna Kennedy charity, visit the below:

www.annakennedyonline.com

Celebrating Success 2022: Maison Lundrigan

Celebrating Success 2022: Maison Lundrigan

Course studied

Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 3 Diploma

It’s a great college, especially for people with disabilities. The support I received from my tutor Charlie was brilliant. I really enjoyed the practical, hands-on aspect of the course.

Maison Lundrigan was named Motor Vehicle Student of the Year for his dedication and the consistent hard work he put into his studies.

The 18-year-old was praised for the high quality of his work and the fact that he was the first to pass his online exams. 

He has excelled during his time at the college, so much so, he is now embarking on a three-year apprenticeship programme at the college.

Maison has achieved all this despite living with additional needs.

He said it felt ‘brilliant’ to win the award and ‘it’s made me realise that I can achieve even with my disability.’

He added: “I chose the college because it offered the right course for me.

“It’s a great college, especially for people with disabilities. The support I received from my tutor Charlie was brilliant. I really enjoyed the practical, hands-on aspect of the course.”

Maison is now looking forward to his apprenticeship so he can pursue his dream of becoming a car mechanic.

His tutor said: “He is a pleasant and well-mannered young man that any college or employer would be pleased to have. Maison has a very bright future ahead of him.”