A BRAND new state-of-the-art music institute will open in the Waterfront next year, offering budding students across the Black Country the chance to break into the music industry.

Resonance will offer degrees for students seeking a career in a range of music industries from its base in the Cable Plaza building on The Waterfront at Brierley Hill from next year.

The institute will offer a range of courses under a franchise arrangement from Solent University in Southampton with courses uploaded to UCAS this summer.

The first cohort of students are expected to arrive in September 2020.

David Barnard, co-director of Resonance, said: "We’re absolutely delighted to finally be in a position where we can confidently say ‘it’s coming’.

“Contractors have been on site for some weeks now and we should be ready to move in at the end of 2019. That’s when the fun really starts.”

Resonance will provide undergraduate degrees in Popular Music Performance, Production, Digital Music and Music Business from 2020.

A degree in Education and Wellbeing is also in the pipeline for 2021.

All courses will be led by industry professionals and will focus on developing a broad range of skills needed by the sector.

David added: "The priority is to immerse students into a real-world environment working on project briefs designed in partnership with industry colleagues.

"People say the music ‘industry’, but really it’s music ‘industries’ as there are so many avenues and opportunities for students to explore.

“For every star on stage, there’s an army of people behind-the-scenes, be they session musicians, songwriters, producers, sound engineers, stage managers, PR agents and more.

“Our programme will blend musical, technical and practical skills with personal and professional development, entrepreneurship and enterprise. Our objective is to create ‘work ready’ graduates, who are not frightened to explore new ideas and have a go. The Resonance Professional Diploma, running alongside our degree courses, will provide an enriching experience developing the essential ‘soft’ skills needed for an ever-changing global industry.”

Paul Rutter, Head of Music at Solent University, and published music industry author, said the institute was 'highly impressive'.

He said: "I have travelled the world to see various different musical institutions and conservatoires and the Resonance project is highly impressive. I have not seen anything quite like it.”

"In the Cable Plaza building they have what must be the world's best purposed modern popular music institute. The building and space dedicated to pop music study is exemplary, I doubt there is many out there that could compete. I'm sure it will be a huge success for the West Midlands pop music industries."

The news was also welcomed by Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for Regeneration and Enterprise.

He said: "Not only will Resonance solidify Dudley borough’s place on the map nationally, it will also bring hundreds of students to the area, resulting in a massive boost for the local and regional economy as a whole.”

“The building that is being refurbished for the institute is based in the heart of DY5, Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone, and its exciting new life will serve as a space to educate and stimulate creative minds for many years to come.”

The project is being supported by funding from the Black Country LEP which has approved a grant for £7.16million and financial support from Unity Trust Bank, and Arts Impact Fund.