Member Article

Merger to benefit Tees music scene

Cutting-edge recording, rehearsal and performance facilities for local musicians and bands are just some of the advantages that are set to result from a merger of two long-standing Teesside music development organisations. Middlesbrough Music Collective (MMC), the oldest music DIY music collective on Teesside, is joining forces with Stockton Music and Arts Collective (SMAC) to form the Tees Music Alliance. The merger will bring under one body a whole range of music centred activities including new recording and rehearsal facilities, refurbished performance space, new arts workshop space and improved music business support.The creation of the new body will also see the relocation of Studio64, (currently administered by MMC) to Stockton Council’s new Cultural Quarter centred around the Green Dragon Yard, just off the High Street. It will be renamed Green Dragon Studios and will be located immediately adjacent to The Georgian Theatre (currently administered by SMAC).Plans are also being drawn up for refurbishment of the theatre – the oldest of its kind in the country - which offers local musicians and bands the experience of performing in a fully equipped, professional venue. TMA will also administer creative industries business space in Calvin House, also in the Green Dragon Yard. Units in Calvin House will from time to time be offered to start-up arts businesses, where they can benefit from being located in the Cultural Quarter and adjacent to similar minded organisations.Paul Burns, Director of the new organisation, said: “The new development is a culmination of many years of hard work on the part of both organisations – who have in fact worked very closely for that last 16 years or so. The timing seemed right for us to merge and come together on a single site. “The new facilities will be fantastic and a real benefit to Tees based musicians and indeed the North East as a whole. “We’re delighted that our team and its work has been recognised and rewarded with the level of investment that is being poured into the Cultural Quarter. We are particularly indebted to Stockton Council and the Arts Council for their ongoing help, encouragement and financial support.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .