Students organise music festival to raise cash for charities

A double bill of live, virtual music organised and performed by Loughborough College students aims to raise much needed funds for local charities.

Students have organised and designed two events – the Loughborough Lockdown Festival held on 5th May and Food Fighters on 13th May – as part of their Level 2 Diploma for Music Practitioners course at college. Both will be available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/c/loughboroughcollege.

They are currently studying a module on organising a music event but wanted to combine their learning with giving back. The Lockdown Festival is supporting the Equality Action charity, while Food Fighters will support the College’s food bank campaign.

Student Thomas Corden, who is one of the organisers of the Lockdown Festival, said: “The music course is amazing because you get to explore all aspects of music from playing instruments with other people to learning about the music industry – that’s what we’re bringing to the festival.

“I hope not only that can reach our target donation of £500 for the event, but to also increase awareness that there are some disadvantaged groups that need all the help from us so that we can all celebrate diversity.”

Joseph Rushby, a fellow student who is organising the Food Fighters event, said: “We’re really looking forward to spreading awareness and raising as much as possible for our charity, that is always going to be the goal. But we also want to have fun and make the most of the joy that music brings to us all.”

Matt Toole, the College’s HE Lead for Music/Creative Arts and a music lecturer, said: “As part of the module, students have to work in small teams to organise and promote a music event. This year, due to Covid restrictions, the events will be held virtually but we are staging two events with fundraising at their heart.

“The students chose the charities, based upon what they felt was relevant to them as young people. They wanted to do something for Equality Action as they are aware of a recent campaign to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with technology so they can access education remotely.

“And they chose the College’s own food bank campaign which has been supporting local people with donations, especially during the lockdown.”

The module is a great way for students to develop team work skills and confidence, as well as understanding how to conduct professional meetings and promotional and marketing techniques. It builds upon the knowledge developed in another unit taught previously called ‘How the Music Industry Works’.