Business News


Macca gives podcasters a magical mystery tour


Stuart Birnie


Schools aren’t in tune with music


A survey has revealed that more than half of Birmingham schoolchildren receive less than an hour of music education each week – a “worrying” decline, according to leading education charity, Services For Education. Sixty-eight per cent of primary


schools and academies across Birmingham are not able to dedicate more than an hour of their weekly curriculum to some form of musical learning, which is increasingly being squeezed out by core subjects.


‘There needs to be a shift in providing primary school children with more meaningful engagement with music’


The survey also reveals that 20


per cent of music is only taught ad hoc, while 77 per cent have just 35 children learning to play an instrument in school. Stuart Birnie, interim head of music


service at Services For Education, said: “There needs to be a shift in providing primary school children with more meaningful engagement with music, rather than seeing it squeezed out by core subjects. “The decreasing regularity of how


these children are learning music is worrying. It positions the subject as something for fun and fails to appreciate the importance of dedicating time to acquire new skills.” The research was conducted by


Professor Martin Fautley, Dr Victoria Kinsella and Dr Adam Whittaker from Birmingham City University on behalf of Services For Education. Each year Services for Education’s Music Service delivers subsidised music services to 38,000 schoolchildren. Part of the music service


delivered by Services for Education includes Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, which is being sponsored by Birmingham Chamber.


22 CHAMBERLINK October 2018


A Birmingham City University academic has realised a dream by talking song-writing with Sir Paul McCartney. Dr Simon Barber, Research Fellow in the Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research (BCMCR), alongside collaborator Brian O’Connor, are more widely known as Sodajerker, a creative partnership of two long- time friends who love songwriting. Their independent podcast, ‘Sodajerker On Songwriting’, comprises long-form interviews with some of the world’s most successful songwriters about how they approach the art and craft. Since its launch in November


2011, the show has released over 120 episodes featuring in-depth discussions with the likes of Paul Simon, Alicia Keys, Johnny Marr, Noel Gallagher, KT Tunstall and Joan Armatrading. The show has been downloaded millions of times


what he does best – songwriting – was the thrill to end all thrills.” At Birmingham City University, Dr Barber researches, writes and lectures about popular music, the music industries, digital culture and jazz. He is particularly interested in songwriting, and the relationships between creative workers and industry.


To stream all episodes of ‘Sodajerker on Songwriting’ at www.sodajerker.com/podcast


Swopping notes, from left: Dr Simon Barber, Sir Paul McCartney and Brian O’Connor


by music fans the world over and has charted in more than 50 countries via Apple Podcasts. There was, however, one guest who remained


elusive; the man the pair describe as “the holy grail of songwriters” – Paul McCartney. Despite having studied at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where the former Beatle is lead patron, they hadn't managed to interview the legendary artist – until now. Paul has just released his 17th solo studio


album, ‘Egypt Station’, on Capitol Records. To mark the occasion, the songwriting enthusiasts sat down with Macca at LIPA to talk about the writing process behind the record. Dr Barber said: “As it does for millions of people


around the world, Paul McCartney’s music occupies a very special place in our hearts. “We were raised on his songs and, at this point, life


is quite unimaginable without them. So, to get the opportunity to spend time with Paul talking about


Region fails to keep hold of talent


Only 17 per cent of university students studying in the West Midlands want to stay to live and work in the region after graduating, according to a new study. Grant Thornton’s survey of 1,080


university students across the country reveals a student talent retention crisis across the UK, with a number of regions failing to keep hold of their best and brightest graduates. The West Midlands is one of the


worst performing regions in the UK with just 17 per cent student retention, the same as its neighbour the East Midlands.


Twenty per cent of West Midlands’ students are unsure of their next step, but of the 63 per cent who say they want to move elsewhere after graduating, 30 per cent are aiming to leave the region to move to London to live and work. Although the West


Midlands finds it hard to hold onto its graduates, Grant Thornton’s research shows that the region’s higher education institutions appeal to a healthy proportion of its own young people, with 48 per cent of students who grow up in the region choosing one


of its local universities. The research also explored what matters most to students when it comes to choosing where they want to live and work. Coming out on top are career development and good transport links, chosen by 50 per cent of West


Midlands’ students. David Hillan (pictured),


practice leader at Grant


Thornton in Birmingham, said: “These findings are very troubling for the West Midlands’ economy. The region is home to some of the country’s finest universities, yet it’s failing to retain talent.”


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