BRIT School

The BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology (the operational name of The London School for Performing Arts & Technology) is an independent, state funded arts and technology school located in The Crescent, Selhurst in London, England. The BRIT School is dedicated to education and vocational training for the performing arts, media, art and design and the technologies that make performance possible. Its principal is Nick Williams. Lucian Grainge the chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Group has called the school remarkable and supurb and noted "If you're an A&R personto have a profile at this school would be very beneficial" [ [http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/latestnews/Music-industry-mogul-praises-Selhurst-s-Brit-School/article-378318-detail/article.html Music industry mogul praises Selhurst's Brit School croydon today 6 October, 2008] ]

Mandate

The school recognises that most of its students intend to make a career in the arts, entertainment and communications industries, but the school expects all to follow full time courses to completion. It has its own professional theatre, The Obie Theatre, which can seat audiences of up to 700. There are also various dance studios, musical theatre studios and TV and radio studios. The school was founded in 1991 under the auspices of the City Technology Colleges (CTC) initiative with sponsorship from The British Record Industry Trust (BRIT). Each year the BRIT Awards Music Ceremony raises money, some of which is used to help the continuing sponsorship of the school along with other music charities.

Entry

Entry to any of the school's courses is initially by application. Applicants for courses may, if they meet the initial entry criteria, then be invited to interview in their chosen focus; either media, music, musical theatre, drama, technical theatre, dance or visual arts, plus a meeting with relevant tutors. Entry to the music course also includes some aural and music theory tests and entry to the Dance strand includes audition rounds as does entry to Drama and Musical Theatre courses. [http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/school/documents/2007-08prospectus/General%20Info.pdf General information]

Alumni

Former members of the school include Juliette Woods, Amy Winehouse,Yolande Bramble-Carter, Leona Lewis, Kate Nash, Katie Melua, Lynden David Hall, Imogen Heap, Adele, Lyndon Blue, Luke Pritchard (frontman of The Kooks), Joe "Jay" Cohen, Daisy's Sweethearts, Adem Adem, Tawiah, Dan Gillespie Sells and Richard Jones (respectively lead singer and bassist of The Feeling), Dane Bowers and Wayne Williams from Another Level, Paul Godfrey of Morcheeba, Andrez Harriott from Damage, James Gunther, Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart who make up Floetry, Kelly O'Keefe and Lisa Armstrong (singers with Deuce), singer/songwriter Jamie Woon, The Pangs, dubstep/breakbeat producer Reso, actress Kellie Shirley from EastEnders, recording artist/songwriter Treija (Ricki Madawho), Ace and Vis (DJs on BBC 1Xtra and Channel U) and Kiss 100 FM DJ Rickie. Many ex-musical theatre and dance students are now also performing in hit West End musicals.

References

External links

* [http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk BRIT School website]
* [http://britschoolnews.blogspot.com/ The BRIT School News Blog]
* [http://www.brittrust.co.uk/ The BRIT Trust]
* [http://www.brits.co.uk/ The BRIT Awards]
* [http://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1018 The BRIT School LIVE at The Bloomsbury Theatre 2007]