‘Really excited’ - Jarrow teenager set to represent the borough in a national music competition
A Jarrow teenager is set to represent Boldon School in the finals of a national music competition.
Boldon School has expressed its pride in a Year 9 pupil who has been named among the finalists of a nationwide music competition.
Ben Richardson, from Jarrow, is set to travel to London to take part in the competition after he was named as one of the 12 finalists.
Entry to the event has been made possible through Boldon School’s partnership with Restore the Music - which has seen the school refresh its music suite’s equipment thanks to a £20,000 grant from the charity.
The grant has also meant that the school has been able to lend equipment such as mics and amps to Ben so he can take part in gigs outside of school hours.
The final of the competition comes just days after Ben took to the stage at Sunderland’s Summer Streets Festival on Saturday, July 4.
‘I’ve always wanted to sing and play guitar on stage’
Speaking ahead of the competition’s final, Ben has given an insight into how seeing Oasis on their reunion tour in 2025 has driven his passion for performing live music.
The 14-year-old said: “I started wanting to play guitar when I was younger but I didn’t really get lessons until I was in Year 4.
“Then I stopped playing for ages but I picked it back up again within the last year.
“I started a TikTok account and I was posting videos of myself playing piano but I’ve always wanted to sing and play guitar on stage.
“Then I went to see Oasis last year - seeing them made me want to play live so I went from there.”
Ben also revealed how his parents reacted when they found out that he had made it through to the final stage of the competition and praised the school for the support that it has given him.
He added: “It is massive and it means a lot to be involved in such a big competition, especially to be one of 12 finalists.
“My parents were buzzing and really happy for me - we’re really excited to go and hopefully it will be a good day.
“The school has been really good with providing me with equipment so I can do gigs, as well as helping me to rehearse or take part in school concerts.
“They’re the only reason that I’m taking part in this competition so it means a lot.”
‘We’re really proud’
Michelle Hawronskyj, Head of Faculty for Art, Music and Technology at Boldon School, has expressed her pride in Ben and highlighted how important it is for younger students to see his success.
She commented: “We’re massively excited for Ben to go down to London as it is a real opportunity for him to be working with industry professionals.
“I’d like to think that he is taking a little bit of Boldon School and all of our other performing arts students with him as he showcases his own work.
“It is also massive for our other students because some of the younger pupils are already starting to look up to Ben and think ‘I can also do that’.
“Music education is so important for young people because it gives them so many strengths for future by building their confidence.
“We’re really proud of Ben and can’t wait to see how he does.”
You can find out more about Restore the Music at: https://restorethemusicuk.com/.