Education Focus - Abbey Road Institute

Tell us about the curriculum that you currently have on offer: Abbey Road Institute offers an intensive 12-month, Advanced Diploma of Sound Production designed in the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios London.

How does the teaching regime operate? How are classes and units broken up throughout the year? Students undertake an intensive 12-month program consisting of three study periods and a massive 42 contact weeks. Abbey Road Institute's philosophy is that technical mastery in music production can only be achieved through intensive practical training — this is why every student has access to a fully equipped digital audio workstation for every lecture throughout their course. 

What do you offer, which cannot be found anywhere else? Abbey Road Institute's program is not just an audio engineering course, but rather an intensive mentorship in music production. The program itself has been designed and constructed by the production staff at Abbey Road Studios London and is based on the in-house training that Abbey Road has been providing to it's own staff for over 80 years. Additionally, graduates receive certification directly from Abbey Road Studios and Universal Music testifying that they are qualified to the level required to work with the world's most prestigious artists.

How do you strive to make students ready to seek out opportunities once they've graduated? Students receive not just the very best of education in music production, but extensive exposure to current industry leaders in Australia and around the globe. By imbuing students with a world view of the 21st century music production industry, we position them to lead from the forefront of the sector by forging their own reputation and brand.

With the music Industry rapidly changing, how do you adapt and react to constant social shifts? For too long education in the music industry has been focused around outmoded workflows and methods. Today's music industry is an agile, fluid environment where producers find themselves more often on a laptop than in a studio, and music will be consumed through a streaming service rather than a record store. With the weight of Universal Music Group and Abbey Road Studios driving our programs, any change to the social, consumer, or industry landscape is almost instantaneously transferred into our educational programs, meaning that students are always one step in front. 

How important is networking within the music industry? And do you think this should be taught at an early stage of a students learning experience? Despite the prevalence of digital technology, the music industry remains very much a people based business. The success of a producer rests not just in his or her ability to elicit the very best performance from an artist, but to inspire confidence in musicians and managers alike that their inclusion on a project brings value to the finished product. For this reason, Abbey Road Institute ensures that all students have the chance to spend time with professional producers and current industry identities throughout their course so as to start the foundations of their personal network while still a student. Professional industry PR staff will work with each student individually to mentor them through the creation of their brand and the launch of their career.

Do you invite key note speakers or people with industry experience to come in and talk at your institution? A foundation principle of the institute is that students must receive constant exposure to professionals at the very highest levels. Our guest lecturer and master class presenters have worked with artists as diverse as U2, INXS, Eskimo Joe, The Sex Pistols, De la Soul, Madonna, The Whitlams and on and on. Being Abbey Road, we have unprecedented access to the biggest names in the Australian and global music industry and ensure that our students have regular access to the staff at the cutting edge of professional production.

Do you any upcoming events that people might not be aware about? Abbey Road Institute runs Open Day events at select times throughout the year. To find out when the next intake is and register you interest in attending our institute, please call 1800 274 338 or email your enquiree through to melbourne@abbeyroadinstitute.com or visit our blog, blog.abbeyroadinstitute.com.au