UCO to Open Academy of Contemporary Music in OKC’s Bricktown District
The University of Central Oklahoma announced in October the creation of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), to be housed in the Oklahoma Hardware Building in the Bricktown district of downtown Oklahoma City.
In partnership with Europe’s leading school for rock and pop musicians — the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) based in Great Britain — UCO will provide an innovative, comprehensive range of experiences for students who aspire to a career in the music industry.
“This is one of the most exciting and creative ventures I’ve been involved with in my many years in higher education,” said UCO President Roger Webb.
“Through this unique partnership with our wonderfully creative and innovative friends at the Academy of Contemporary Music, UCO will provide not only an opportunity for students to receive hands-on learning about everything they need to know to succeed in the music industry, but we will also provide a fantastic outlet for the burgeoning creative movement here in Oklahoma.”
The ACM has developed some of the most innovative music industry education currently available anywhere in the world and offers full and part time courses in Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Music Production, Creative Sound Design and Music Business.
“We are delighted and honored to be working with UCO, to bring ACM’s unique brand of music industry education to America,” said ACM Founder and Director Phil Brookes.
“The people involved with UCO are some of the most creative and forward thinking individuals we have had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone at ACM is looking forward to a great partnership and future with UCO, training tomorrow’s musicians, producers and music business leaders.”
ACM@UCO will feature world-class facilities, as well as faculty and guest instructors who are active industry professionals and specialists in their field committed to developing young artists to their full potential.
Scott Booker, owner of Hellfire Enterprises Limited and manager of the internationally renowned and Oklahoma City-based rock band, The Flaming Lips, will serve as executive director of the ACM@UCO.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Oklahoma and the region,” said Booker. “UCO has found a way to reach out to people interested in music and the music business that has not existed before. I am excited and honored to be involved in this truly innovative program.”
The ACM was founded by Brookes 12 years ago and is based in Guildford, England, just 30 minutes from London, and has an enrollment of 1,200 full-time students. This is the ACM’s first partnership with an American university. The ACM is also partnered with universities in Johannesburg, South Africa, Bologna, Italy and Tokyo, Japan.
The ACM@UCO is scheduled to open for classes in the fall of 2009.
For more information, contact the ACM@UCO at (405) 974-4700 or visit their website at www.acm-uco.com.