HSDC’s South Downs Campus has once again demonstrated its commitment to nurturing ambition and delivering industry-level learning through its highly successful Music Industry Week – a dynamic programme designed to connect students with leading professionals and inspire the next generation of creative talent.
Anchored in the College’s focus on raising aspirations and providing technical excellence for the real world, the week offered students an enriched experience that blended performance, professional insight and career-focused engagement.
HSDC’s strong links with local and national employers helped make Music Industry Week a major success, offering students the opportunity to engage directly with professionals, who provided them with key advice and tips to ease their transition into the workplace.
Throughout the week, students attended a series of workshops, talks and Q&A sessions featuring a lineup of industry experts, alumni and performers. This hands-on, employer-informed learning embodies HSDC’s mission to deliver practical, relevant skills that genuinely prepare young people for their future careers.
Portsmouth-born indie rock artist Harvey Jay Dodgson studied music at South Downs, and has since enjoyed major success in the music industry, with his song Marilyn Rose currently standing at almost 250,000 streams on Spotify! With performances at major festivals such as Glastonbury and as well as a Main Stage set at Victorious, Harvey has made everyone at the College extremely proud.
Harvey returned to HSDC for Music Industry Week, giving students a live performance in the South Downs theatre, as well as a Q&A session. Harvey said:
“The best thing about my time at South Downs was being surrounded by like-minded people for the first time in my life. Being involved in a close cohort of students who had a real passion for music was amazing, and the gigs that we played at college were key to give me a launchpad into the industry.”
Students also attended a talk from South Downs alumnus Josh Robinson, who set up LMSUK during his time at college. In the 10 years since, his company has grown into one of the UK’s leading music promotion services, with Josh working with some of the biggest names in the industry including Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Two Door Cinema Club and Noel Gallagher.
Josh gave the students a genuine insight into the music industry and how best to promote their music, highlighting the importance of branding, consistency and effective utilisation of social media. Speaking about this, Josh said:
“The main thing you need to succeed in the music industry is to learn to fail forwards. Resilience is crucial. As long as you continue to pick yourself up when things get tough, you will be able to thrive.”
Salisbury-based post-punk band CARSICK also attended industry week at HSDC, performing for the students and sharing insightful anecdotes of their creative processes. When asked if they had any advice for the students, the band said:
“It’s important to play as many gigs as possible wherever you can, because that’s how you’ll build connections. Don’t be afraid to be yourself when you’re performing, because it’s vital to keep the passion for your craft alive.”
Students also got to listen to a talk by Sam Parsley, a professor, author, researcher and DJ who specialises in the aesthetics of work and gender equality in the creative industries. Speaking about the importance of a diverse electronic music scene, Sam said:
“Diversity is vitality. The industry is certainly moving in the right direction, but there is so much more work to be done. It’s crucial that the diversity of the artists being played in clubs and on the radio reflects the diversity of the audience.”
Sally Barlow, Head of Faculty for Creative Industries said:
“Music Industry Week is a crucial part of our curriculum, providing a unique bridge between the classroom and the professional world. It has been a privilege to watch our students engage with industry leaders, particularly the invaluable insights shared by our alumni Josh and Harvey, who prove that the path from HSDC to a successful career is a well-trodden one.”
Sally added:
“This week is a testament to our lecturers, who are not just teachers, but talented artists and producers in their own right, leveraging their own professional networks to launch the next generation of talent. At HSDC South Downs we aren’t just teaching music; we are building careers.”
At its core, HSDC’s Music Industry Week is part of the College’s broader mission to deliver enrichment that widens students’ horizons, develops confidence and prepares them for meaningful next steps – whether that’s apprenticeships, employment or further studies. From live performances to employer insights, the week provided valuable experiences that build resilience, spark ambition and unlock future opportunities.
