Back before Easter, I dropped into The Grove Studios Academy’s first open day up at Somersby to get a feel of what is being offered in their Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production), and to take a sticky inside the gorgeous Grove Studios.
Built back in the last ’90s by INXS’ Garry Gary Beers, The Grove Studios is the ultimate escape, resort-living, recording studio with the grounds offering four fully-equiped state-of-the-art recording spaces along with four self-contained lodges with a total of 10 bedrooms, six bathrooms, four kitchens, a pool, spa and two dams.
And the finished product that has walked out these rooms is quite specials – Silverchairs’ Neon Ballroom and Diorama, Delta Goodrem’s Innocent Eyes, Eskimo Joe’s Black Fingernails Red Wine, Something For Kate’s Echolalia – the list is endless really. The day I was wandering through Studio One, Birds of Tokyo had their drumkit set up. Apparently this first Open Day had coincided with some recording, and the boys had graciously vacated to the beach for the day. Can I say that I sat behind the kit? I should have.
The opportunity to walk thought this wonderful rural recording space was pretty special. To learn Sound Production in such a space is pretty amazing, yet that is what’s being offered here, to have this recording space at your disposal while studying for your Diploma. The entry requirements are quite straight forward – there are none, except for being 16 years or over. That said, the Academy does offer recognition of prior learning.
For 12 months you will be putting in 3 days per week in your new classroom covering such units as Mix Live Audio, Provide Freelance Services, Edit Sound and Mix Recorded Music studying for a Diploma that is fully recognised. There will 16 different units being studied all up covered Sound Production from Copyright to Sound Designs.
As mentioned earlier, my visit to The Grove Academy was during their first open day. There is a second opportunity to take a walk through on Saturday April 28 between 11am and 3pm. Have a chat to Chris Jackson, Scott Horscroft and Jack Nigro, they are passionate about this Academy and the course being offered, and will have you sitting behind the mixing desk in Studio One on the pretext of “just getting a feel”. I did sit in this chair, and it felt good.