BMG to offer Newcastle uni students ‘real-world’ access to music biz

If you want to learn how to rock and roll, just ask Heath Johns.

The BMG Australia boss has today unveiled an Australian-first partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries.

Selected students will get the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s biggest artists and industry professionals on research challenges facing the biz.

BMG will also provide studio time in their recording facilities and access to further artist mentoring and collaboration.

The new partnership, believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, will focus on offering real-world experiences for the next generation of creative artists.

Johns, a Novocastrian and University of Newcastle graduate himself, said the University of Newcastle has made a remarkable commitment to the field of creative industries.

“The University of Newcastle has positioned itself as an institution with a sense of ambition and imagination, their willingness and flexibility to engage with BMG in such an exciting way opens up a world of creative opportunity for students and artists alike,” says Johns.

“BMG sees immense value in connecting our artist roster with the University’s students across all creative arts disciplines to create an everchanging stream of compelling multi-media content.”

The official launch of the team-up follows several projects that have already taken place between students and BMG artists.

In 2019, School of Creative Industries student Reid McManus helped the chart-topping Dune Rats to develop an animated music video due for release later this year.

Fellow student Daniel Cooper was also given the unique opportunity to work with Grammy award-winning Australian hard rock band Wolfmother to create a stunning new music video for one of their new tracks.

Future projects with artists including Hockey Dad and Dope Lemon are also being developed between BMG and the University of Newcastle.