A pop up radio stall in West Bromwich Indoor Markets, a song-writing competition for young people and free performance workshops are just some of the events planned as part of a major three year project, being launched by Birmingham Opera Company (BOC) in Sandwell this week.

Sandwell Creates supported by Arts Council England (ACE) will work with the diverse communities in and around Sandwell providing opportunities through professional mentoring and creative activity with the aim of staging a large-scale performance involving hundreds of local people in 2026.

Birmingham Opera Company’s ‘SandweIl on Air’ radio stall will be set up in West Bromwich Indoor Markets from Thursday 21 March 2024 and the company will be providing a programme of live performance in and around the markets and King Square shopping centre during the school holiday period.

These include performances by singer Gabriella Liandu on Thursday 21 March at 1pm and a closing performance by Sam Oxborough who wowed audiences with her live performance of the National Anthem at the Commonwealth Games 2022. 

It’s a chance to find out more about the opportunities available including the new song-writing competition that could see young people getting their song produced with professional support.

Interviews with local people and market traders will be broadcast online and one of the first interviews will be with the Worshipful Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr Bill Gavan MBE, who joined Radio Stall Dreaming creator, Katherine Smith, and Sandwell based graffiti artist, Neoliberalizard whose designs will decorate the radio stall at the market.

He said “I am delighted to launch the Sandwell Creates project that will celebrate the diversity of our area and bring opportunities to young people and showcase the fantastic talent that we have here. Music is a uniting force and brings cheer and hope when times are tough.

“Sandwell has a real cultural and musical heritage, and it’s great to be launching this project for our young people as we celebrate Sandwell’s 50th anniversary. The Sandwell on Air radio stall in the heart of the market will be a hub for live performance through the school holiday period so I hope people will visit and share their musical memories. The West Midlands has been a hot spot for emerging musicians, comedians and actors over the decades and, who knows, we may find the next big name.” 

For this year’s headline event, the song-writing competition 16-26 year olds are invited to create a new piece of music that tells a story. It can be any style or genre of music, not just opera, and must feature a vocalist and at least one instrumentalist. Three ideas will be selected to be made into a performance, video or audio recording and shared publicly.

Each one will receive support and coaching from industry professionals to make their vision a reality as well as a £750 cash prize. As with all BOC projects it will be entirely inclusive - allowing free, non-audition access so that anyone who wants to take part, whether for fun, personal fulfilment, to meet new people or even to help to kickstart a career in the performing arts.

BOC Creative Producer, Diandra McCalla said “You could be the writer, singer, composer, producer or instrumentalist. You can apply as an individual, a partnership, or a group. Ideas do not need to be fully formed, but the more you can help us imagine your idea, the better! “

Sandwell Creates also has the backing of Dave Hill, guitarist of Slade, one of the biggest musical names to come out of the West Midlands.

He said: “What an amazing opportunity to get your music career off the ground.  I’ve had a blast for the last 60 years doing what I love and I’m all about encouraging young people from the West Midlands to pursue their musical ambitions. Sandwell Creates is going to help three individuals or groups to get their song produced, with some fantastic professional support and a cash prize. So don’t hang about kids – get writing and ‘Come on MAKE the Noize’.    

Find out more about Sandwell Creates at birminghamopera.org.uk.