Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Beckett students preparing for red carpet roles
The ARIAS, or Audio and Radio Industry Awards, are being held at the first direct Arena in Leeds on 19 October and are supported by Leeds Beckett University and LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District). The Kaiser Chiefs – of which Ricky Wilson and Andrew White are Leeds Beckett graduates – will be headlining at the event, alongside Grammy-award winning artist, Gregory Porter, and 80s icon Rick Astley.
Leeds Beckett’s collaboration with the ARIAS, organised and staged by The Radio Academy, means 35 students will get unprecedented, hands-on experience in staging and promoting a national awards ceremony. The same day, the University will also host a series of masterclasses on subjects including music production, performing for radio, and broadcast media for year 12 and 13 pupils from schools and colleges in the region to inspire the next generation of radio and audio industry talent and offer them an insight into possible careers.
Andrew Fryer, Dean of the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the ARIAS and excited to see that the Kaiser Chiefs will be performing, particularly since the band includes two of our own graduates back in their home city. Helping our students to gain practical skills as part of an excellent education and experience is key at Leeds Beckett and we are proud to be fourth in the UK for graduate employability. The event will give our students across Music, Filmmaking, Broadcast Media, Journalism, PR and Events some fantastic opportunities to work on a large scale event in a range of roles and will no doubt help to inspire the radio industry talent of the future.”
Lee Prouse is one of the students selected to work at the exciting event and will be one of the backstage journalists. He said: “As a third-year journalism student, I am very excited to have been asked to take part in the ARIAS which is a prestigious event and one which is supported by Leeds Beckett University. I am very much looking forward to being involved as a backstage journalist. It is a great opportunity for me to be able to put all my journalism skills that I have gained over the last few years into practice and, having worked in the radio industry myself, I feel quite comfortable backstage interviewing and talking to those involved in the event."
Andrew Cooper, LeedsBID Chief Executive, said: “LeedsBID is delighted to have been instrumental in bringing this headline event to the city. Hosting the ARIAS will not only shine the spotlight on Leeds but provides a great opportunity for some of the city’s students to get hands-on experience of the industry, essential for improving employability and skills.”
Roger Cutsforth, Managing Director of Radio Academy, said: “Helping to inspire the next generation of radio talent is central to what we do at the Radio Academy so the partnership with Leeds Beckett University is a perfect fit. The ARIAS brings the entire industry together to reward and celebrate talent, innovation and success; so students will be able to see the medium at its very best and not only will it give them first-hand experience of what it takes to run and stage a national event. We also hope it will inspire some of them to consider a career in radio – and who knows, it might be Leeds Beckett alumni on stage receiving an award in the future!”
Tickets are now on sale - for more information please visit: www.radioacademy.org.