Great’s Journey in Sound Tech

 

CF spotlights takes a look at the young creatives from Creative Futures Lewisham, Lewisham Music’s creative careers development programme supporting young people aged 18-30 who are looking to kickstart a career in the creative industries. 

 

Great

 

 

Meet Great, a dedicated music production student from the vibrant Lewisham area in southeast London. With a strong drive to break into the music industry, Great eagerly enrolled in a training course designed to build skills in music production and live sound engineering. Without many connections in the industry, finding a starting point can be tough, but Great embraces every opportunity and gives it his all. Now in his first year of a foundation degree in music production, he saw this course as a valuable step toward gaining practical experience and expanding his network.

 

Self-reliant and resilient, Great has been navigating his path largely on his own for years, as a young care leaver these courses have especially been impactful for his growth. The program offered a unique combination of hands-on experience and meaningful discussions, including an important focus on the challenges faced by women and people of color in the industry.

 

 


 

Key experiences and training feedback

 

 

From the outset, Great found the training engaging and supportive. The welcoming atmosphere fostered by the instructors, especially Ben who was facilitating the course, made a world of difference. Great appreciated how questions were encouraged, allowing everyone to seek clarity without feeling judged. This approach not only fostered a positive learning environment but also helped Great feel more at ease.

 

Favourite moments: A standout moment for Great was lifting flight cases and speakers, which truly pushed them out of their comfort zone. With Ben’s encouragement, Great found their confidence growing as they tackled these physical challenges. The hands-on practice of connecting DJ equipment further solidified their understanding of the technical aspects of music production—what a fantastic way to learn on the job!

 


Challenges encountered

 

Not every moment was a breeze, however. One particularly challenging session occurred on one of the last days, this challenging situation sparked valuable discussions about gender perspectives in the industry. Great emerged from these conversations with a deeper awareness of the unique experiences faced by women in music, underscoring the importance of inclusivity. While acknowledging issues like racism, Great chose to channel their energy into personal growth and development.

 

 


 

 

Work Experience at Glastonbury Festival

 

 

After completing the training course, Great had the incredible opportunity to work at Glastonbury Festival—a truly unforgettable experience, though not without its challenges. Attending a festival for the first time was a big step in itself, and adapting to the fast-paced environment took some effort. Working closely with Bart and the team at DI Audio, Great gained valuable hands-on experience in audio engineering, learning practical skills like connecting desks and speakers. The festival was both intense and reflective for Great, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with growth and unforgettable lessons.

 


Next steps

 

 

Since completing the Sound to Glastonbury course, Great has also engaged in our PRS industry events and the Sync Lab Course in audio production. Thanks to the confidence and knowledge gained from these courses, he has secured two paid sound engineering roles at The Old Dispensary and Dash The Henge Record Shop in Camberwell. Additionally, he is actively freelancing as a sound tech at Fox and Firkin in Lewisham. With a clear focus on building a career as a sound engineer and music producer, Great is making impressive strides and consistently progressing toward his goals.

 

 


 

 

CF spotlights

 

 

Funder shoutout

 

Start creating your future now 

If you’d like to find out more about Creative Futures Lewisham, including upcoming courses, talks, mentoring, and workshops, please click the link below, and start creating your future now!