Abbey Road Studios announces scholarship for aspiring black producers and engineers

The new scholarship programme will see the iconic London studios help two black students get an advanced diploma in music production and engineering, followed by a year-long engineering apprenticeship at Abbey Road.

Announced yesterday (27 October), the scholarship will begin next year, and Abbey Road Studios will cover the course fees, as well as contributing to living costs for the two students every year while studying their advanced diploma. Those applying will need to be at least 18, or younger than 25, and be a permanent UK resident.

Isabel Garvey, Abbey Road’s managing director, said, "I’m thrilled that this programme will create new opportunities for aspiring young engineers by giving them not just the educational foundation, but also the benefit of practical experience working with the best artists, composers and engineers in the industry ... Abbey Road has always been about training the best studio talent, so it’s brilliant that the Scholarship will help diversify the next generation of engineering professionals from the ground up."

According to NME, Raye is due to give guidance for the scholarship students. She said, "I’m so proud to be part of this brilliant initiative to encourage more Black students down the path of music production and audio engineering. Black producers and engineers are under-represented in the professional recording environment and we need to address that. During my time at The BRIT School I learned how important music education is and it’s been instrumental in helping me get further in life."