Music students inspired by North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra

In an exciting new initiative the North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra is providing Music students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College with a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of one of their A Level set works.
 
A group of ten students from Newcastle College attended a rehearsal last Monday evening where they were able to sit alongside orchestra members. During the interval they talked to conductor, Peter Stallworthy and Sheila Dexter, the leader.

Harriet Johnson, Lecturer in Music at the College comments: “It is so important that the music students hear the music they are studying live. To be given the opportunity to watch the orchestra working on the Symphony was invaluable. By attending the rehearsal they got to hear how the orchestra tackled the intricacies of the work and were truly enlightened by the experience. We’re looking forward to joining the orchestra again soon”.

The students were enthusiastic about being involved in a live performance of their set work. Here are some of their comments:

“Fantastic to hear the music we are studying live – a completely different experience from just listening to a recording”

“A great opportunity to play with an experienced orchestra”

“So inspiring – I’m going to start playing my clarinet again”

“Interesting and useful to hear the different sections of the orchestra playing separately  - very helpful when studying a big work like the Beethoven’s Symphony No.1”

“It was great to see the rehearsal process and watching how the players all worked together with Peter Stallworthy”

“An enlightening experience”

Students will also be attending the actual concert performance on Saturday evening. The initiative will be repeated in March and April when students will attend rehearsals of another of their set works, Shostakovich’s Symphony No.5.

The orchestra will be performing Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 as part of their concert at 7.30 pm on Saturday, February 1st at Wolstanton High School, Newcastle under Lyme. Tickets are available on the door: Adults £8 Students £3.

International Human Rights Day

As part of the College’s activities for International Human Rights Day on Tuesday 17 December, A Level Music student Ingrid Schwartz performed a music piece for fellow students.

Talented Ingrid hopes to enter into Amnesty International’s Young Songwriters Competition, we wish you the very best of luck.

Former student works on Will.I.Am tour

Former NULC student Steph Whieldon returned to college to give an inspirational talk to current AS and A Level Theatre and Performing Arts students.

Steph is currently studying for a BA (hons) Degree in Technical Theatre Arts at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  She started studying in September and was one of 16 students chosen from over 500 applications.  The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is currently ranked second in the world.

Natalie Weatherer, Curriculum Leader in AS Media Studies and AS/A Level Theatre Studies, said: "Myself and Faye Matthews are particularly proud of Steph as she was from our first intake of AS Theatre students in 2010, and to have a student attend such a prestigious school is amazing."

Steph spent around an hour talking about her experiences at university, life in London, the transition from college to higher education, and the application process for theatre school. She also spoke about her experience working on Will.i.am’s tour in December 2013 at the O2 in London.  Steph was working on the sound for the celebrity and his various musical guests including Cheryl Cole.  She said it was incredibly exciting and superb experience for her degree, where she will eventual specialise in Stage Management in her final year.