In a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and dedication, students from our Music Production, Performance and Business BA were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the soundtrack of the BBC hit drama Boarders.  The series that has not only created a buzz in the UK and is set to air in the US soon.

At a special event attended by students, staff, industry professionals, cast, and crew, the spotlight was firmly placed on the incredible behind-the-scenes work our students delivered across both Series 1 and 2.

Soundtrack to Success

Hosted by Dr Mykaell Riley, Senior Lecturer, Director of the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU), and Principal Investigator for the Bass Culture Research Project, the event celebrated the groundbreaking collaboration between our music students and the production team behind Boarders.

Mykaell, who also served as Musical Director for both series, played a key role in establishing and guiding the partnership that gave students the opportunity to work on a professional production of this scale.

Students created over 700 original pieces of music across the two series, a remarkable output that showcases not only their creativity but also their ability to produce high-quality, music under real-world conditions. Each piece had to be carefully crafted, adapted, and refined, often to tight deadlines, to align with the show’s narrative and characters.

The student produced tracks have been developed into a 21-track album, due to be released later this year by Warner Records, a major milestone for everyone involved.

Live Performances: Students Take the Stage

The event featured live performances by three students whose work appears on the album and features on the show.

Rohan, hip-hop artist and international student from India, performed Take a Step Back, a track that evolved from its original hip-hop form into a more commercial, pop-oriented sound to match the show’s tone. Speaking about his experience, Rohan said

“Being part of the Boarders soundtrack has been a proud moment for me as a student and as an artist representing my hometown on a global platform. This opportunity allowed me to bring my unique sound and cultural identity into the world of British television. I’m incredibly grateful to the University of Westminster for constantly bridging the gap between music education and real industry experiences with firms such as the BBC and Warner Music.

Jewel performed her track Gold, originally written as a solo piece for the show. It was later developed into a duet with her sister. Jewel spoke about the creative process, and how she learned to meet high standards under pressure.

Joseph, known artistically as Dr Jay, performed Never Be the Same, a piano-and-vocal piece shortlisted for Best TV Sync at the Music & Sound Awards 2024.

Real Industry, Real Recognition

Our Music BA course is currently the only programme in the UK working at this level with a major BBC drama. It marks the first time an entire TV soundtrack has been composed and produced by current university students.

For the students, this project offered more than just experience, they received IMDB credits, professional payments, and a rare glimpse into the expectations and standards of the industry. Most importantly, they gained the confidence and credibility to enter the professional world before graduating.

Behind the Scenes: Industry Insights

The celebration also included an exclusive panel discussion featuring key members of the production team, including Carmen Montanez Callan (Music Supervisor) and Alison MacPhail (Series Producer). They offered invaluable insights into the music selection and editing process, and how the student tracks were integrated into the show.

Carmen explained that each composition had to serve a clear narrative purpose to seamlessly support and feed the variation in a scene.  She highlighted that productions of this scale typically rely on commercial tracks, making it even more impressive that students were able to rise to the challenge of creating music that matched and, in some cases, surpassed, industry standards.

A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion

This collaboration builds on a longstanding tradition of musical innovation at Westminster. Over 30 years ago, Norton York founded what was then the Commercial Music BA, now evolved into the Music Production, Performance and Business BA. From the beginning, the course was designed to reflect the real music industry, embracing diversity in genre, background, and teaching, and moving beyond the boundaries of traditional classical education.

The event concluded with a special moment, as York awarded Mykaell  an Honorary Fellowship in music from Rockschool RSL, recognising his excellence in teaching and his unwavering commitment to promoting Black music within academic and professional spaces.

About the fellowship, Dr Mykaell Riley said: “”Being awarded the RSL Fellowship is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. Since joining the University of Westminster in 1994, I’ve been committed to creating authentic bridges between academia and the music industry. Seeing our students gain real-world credits on productions like ‘Boarders’ exemplifies what’s possible when we break down traditional educational barriers.”

_{Header image: Students with the cast and crew of Boarders.}

_{All photo credits: Elijah McDonnell}

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About Westminster

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