A group of young singers assembled in the Royal Albert Hall on 17 February 2014 for a singing workshop hosted by vocal coach Patsy McKay and singer-songwriter Jake Bugg.

The session, held in the Hall’s Elgar Room, gave the group the chance to work on their vocals and pick up valuable tips on life in the music business from one of the nation’s leading singer-songwriters.

Jake Bugg Royal Albert Hall Education Workshop. Photo: Andy Paradise, 2014)

The group were also there to rehearse backing vocals for a very special performance of Bugg’s song Broken, which they will perform on stage with him at his upcoming Albert Sessions concert.

For Bugg, as he recently told XFM, getting involved with the Royal Albert Hall’s groundbreaking education programme was ‘a nice thing to do’ and comes in the run-up to his sold-out _Albert Sessions concert at the Hall, which sees him take to the Hall’s stage for the first time.

‘This event seemed like a great thing to do. The point of it was to show these kids what it’s about and get them inspired. I thought it might inspire me as well, and it was inspiring – it’s youth, it’s vibrant.’
Jake Bugg

Jake Bugg Royal Albert Hall Education Workshop. Photo: Andy Paradise, 2014)

The BRIT Award nominee added:

‘I thought the kids sounded great: their accompaniment was exactly what I imagined – a choir part – and they nailed it.’

He admitted that he ‘couldn’t wait’ for his headline gig: ‘It’s an absolute privilege to play the Royal Albert Hall. It’s such a beautiful venue, it’s going to be special.’

Jake Bugg Royal Albert Hall Education Workshop. Photo: Andy Paradise, 2014)

The young singers set to join Jake Bugg on stage are all from schools in the Tri-Borough Music Hub, and excitement levels were high as they, just like their idol Bugg, prepared to make their Hall debuts:

‘It was really good to get advice and inspiration from Jake. He’s one of my favourite artists and his songs are great. I was speechless, when I found out about the workshop and hopefully one day I will be doing the same thing for some teenagers. It’s just going to be the best thing: performing in the Royal Albert Hall with someone who inspires you, and in front of such a huge audience – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’
Katie Jimenez, 17, Grey Coat Hospital school

Like the headline artist himself, some see the prospect of performing on stage at the Hall as a dream coming true:

‘It’s such an honour. I feel fantastic. It’s quite surreal to actually be part of it, to perform in the Royal Albert Hall. I’ve always had this dream and it’s actually happening. It’s so bizarre and it’s such a privilege.’
Sahar Bayer, 16, St Marylebone School

All photos: Andy Paradise, 2014