Michael Taylor, who presents Music Therapy with Neil Summers on Tameside Radio on Sunday evenings, reflects on listening to college students' life experiences and how music can play a part in that sharing process.

Last week I volunteered to help out at a local college with some interview training. 

I sat across the table from eight young people with all their hopes, dreams and aspirations laid bare, and tried to give them a first experience of what it’s like to talk about themselves to a complete stranger for 15 minutes or so.

These were students who the College has identified as having real potential and suggested to them that they should apply to top universities. 

What’s any of this got to do with our music show on Tameside Radio? I hear you asking. I’ll come on to that.

Let me mention first why I did it.

Young people have had a rough ride. Most of these did their GCSE year in lockdown. They’ve bounced from one challenging time of life into a new educational setting. 

The future is full of volatility and economic uncertainty. Technology is changing so fast that it puts a real pressure on what students can learn that will be useful to them.  

As I look back from my comfortable position in midlife, I’ve made a promise to myself to say yes to such requests for help. Each and every offer of a helpful word, or a guiding hand that I had when I was young wasn’t always grasped at. But when I did, it was so valuable.

You know too that the posh kids at the top private schools will have pushy Dads coming in to talk about careers in the City and corporate life. 

But it’s also because I’m sick to the back teeth with employers complaining about the lack of skills of young people entering the workforce, but doing naff all about addressing it.

Most, if not all, of the students I spoke to had never had a job interview or been grilled by an admissions tutor at a university. But nearly all of them had part time jobs in shops, pubs and restaurants. A couple had their own e-commerce sites selling things they’ve made on platforms like Etsy and eBay. 

I think that’s amazing and something to shout about. Building your resilience by talking to workmates and customers is such an asset.

Each and every one of us has a story, a view of the world that is entirely unique to us.

And this is where the music comes in.

I was keen to make them feel comfortable and establish common ground with them. A bit needy, I know, but I did it because I at least wanted to get them talking about what mattered to them.

It’s amazing how often music provides that bridge. One of the students told me her favourite artist at this year’s Parklife Festival was Joy Crookes, who burst onto the scene last year and who we played on our show a few times. I also had the conversation about Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill with the Stranger Things fans. 

Music ignites the passions - sport and literature and films do too - sharing experiences won’t solve the world’s problems, but if it’s the simple act of listening and understanding the world from someone else’s perspective, then that’s got to be a good thing.

And if I can leave you with one thought, it's this. Volunteer to help out with this kind of thing. Share your experience. All we are saying, is give kids a chance.

You can listen to Michael Taylor and Neil Summers on Music Therapy on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Sunday evenings from 9pm to 11pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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