- A highly successful record label project, set up and run through Sedgehill Academy, reaches record moment of 20 years during which time 1,000+ students have benefited from the experience of original writing, recording and publishing music.
- Andy Gilbert, Musician in Residence at Sedgehill and founder of XFADE, praised for the impact the initiative has had on so many students, including those who have gone on to build successful careers in the music industry.
- Event on 19th March brings together alumni and current students, with friends and family of the school, to share their stories.
Sedgehill Academy students, alumni, friends and families will be celebrating a record milestone for our very own in-house music record label – 20 years of XFADE.
Set up and led by Andy Gilbert, former teacher and now Musician in Residence at Sedgehill Academy, the innovative programme has benefited more than 1,000 budding artists and creatives during its run. As it reaches its 20th birthday, XFADE remains a thriving hub for original songwriting – giving students the chance to write, record and share their own music.
Not only a fantastic incubator for talented young people – a number of whom have gone on to build successful careers in the music industry – it has helped them nurture vital skills, not just technically but also in terms of their confidence, creativity and self-expression. Former XFADE students have gone on to be Grammy-nominated songwriters, working with artists such as Doja Cat, John Legend and Aespa, while others now perform at the highest level with artists including Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Raye.
A concert will take place at Sedgehill Academy on 19th March to celebrate the remarkable achievements of XFADE alumni and the positive impact the initiative continues to have on students at the school. With tickets available for purchase for neighbours and guests, the event will be a showcase of musical creations from current and former students alike. Everything performed will be original songs or music from young people.
As part of his role as Musician in Residence, Andy Gilbert works weekly with XFADE students training them in how to write, compose and produce music and passing on his own insight from a career in the music industry. He also mentors the school’s choirs, Vocalize and Coda.
Clare Cassidy, Sedgehill Academy Principal, said:
“Music is a powerful and compelling art form through which our students can sharpen their technical skills and attention to detail but also develop stories and express themselves. XFADE’s longstanding popularity and success at Sedgehill Academy over the past 20 years has demonstrated this many times over, leading to brilliant original compositions, performances at some of the UK’s top venues and of course a number of students who have gone on to thriving careers in the industry.
“As we look forward to marking this milestone, we cannot wait to welcome back together so many of our former students and families as well as our local and current school community. It will be a wonderful event and an opportunity to congratulate students, as well as to thank Andy Gilbert for everything he has contributed as our Musician in Residence.”
Tickets for the 20th birthday showcase are available for purchase here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/x-fade-anniversary-concert-2026-tickets-1982672476750?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Supporters of the school can also donate towards XFADE’s continuing work here:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sedgehill-academy?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL