Kylie Minogue visits BRITS school

Kylie Minogue visited the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology this week, as she is this year’s recipient of the Music Industry Trusts’ Award (in association with PPL & PRS). The BRIT school is one of the charity beneficiaries of the Music Industry Trusts’ Award.

The Music Industry Trusts’ Award annually raises monies for both the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity and the BRIT Trust – which includes the BRIT School. The visit included a tour of the school’s dance studios, rehearsal and recording studios and classes, showing all on the visit the benefits of the monies raised from the MITS Award.

There to greet Kylie were BRIT school principal Nick Williams and Managing Director of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Pauline Etkin – in addition to around 800 students going about their normal routine! Kylie also received the opportunity to discuss the work of the BRIT school with a selection of teachers, plus the on-site Nordoff-Robbins therapist.

The BRIT School in South London provides a unique education for 800 young people who do not have a privileged background and want to choose a career in the arts industries. The School’s former students continue to impress, notably Kate Nash, Adele, Katie Melua, The Kooks, The Feeling, Imogen Heap, Adelaide McKenzie, Joel Pott of Athlete, Amy Winehouse, Polly Scattergood, Bev Tawiah and Andre Carol, plus Ace and Invisible, who are now Radio 1 DJ’s. There are a good number of ex-students appearing on television and the West End stage.

Once again the School has been able to support touring student groups, including at the Edinburgh Festival and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works season.

The Music Industry Trusts’ Award takes place on 29 October at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. In its 16th year, it has raised over £2.7 million for its two charities, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT Trust. This year it has been confirmed that PPL and PRS are joint sponsors of the event, and Kylie is to be the first female recipient in the Award’s 16 year history.

The Award was established in 1991 with the twin aims of honouring an individual and raising money for the nominated charities. The Award is unique because it recognises the contribution that an individual has made to the music industry, from a range of activities: producer, film composer, record company executive, music retailer. Previous recipients include Sir George Martin, John Barry, Peter Gabriel, Ahmet Ertegun, Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The charity event is renowned for producing an evening that is inspirational and often moving, with some unique live performances from artists such as Rod Stewart, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Youssou N’Dour.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy is a charity that gives care and support to adults and children through music therapy. It is a state registered profession and is dependent on the generosity of donors for its funding.

The BRIT School is the only free performing arts school in the country, and is very different to normal vocational schools, with a very diverse intake of talented kids who would otherwise not have the opportunities to develop their potential in music, musical theatre, dance, theatre, media, art and design or technical theatre (production). It is a unique place with a history of success and innovation.

Find out more at Brittrust.co.uk.