Strode Music Students Perform Unplugged for Eavis

Music lovers braved the ice in late December to attend an eclectic and diverse evening of unplugged performances from Strode BTEC Music students at Pilton Working Men's Club.  The students provided over two hours of largely original material, and were delighted to see local music legend Michael Eavis popping in to enjoy the music and say hello.

Jorden Lindsay, who lives in Yeovil, performed a brilliant solo set of self-written pieces for vocals and acoustic guitar, as well as fronting the popular local act 'JackFlash' who performed an unusual acoustic set to the enthusiastic audience.

 "It was great to get the opportunity to play my own songs and to know that a legend like Michael Eavis was listening.  There's a great atmosphere at the club and it was great to be able to play there' said Jorden.

The gig was organised and promoted by the Strode students as part of a course project.  In particular Sid Taylor who lives in Pilton, who closed the evening with the cool sounds of his jazz combo 'Taylor Made'.  "'The course at Strode gives us a real feeling of what it's like to begin working in the music industry.  For this project we have to decide where to play, develop and promote our acts, book the venues and do all the health and safety and stuff" said Sid.

The students will be playing several more concerts around the area to complete their project.  As well as Jordan, Jack Flash and Taylor Made, acts to look out for who also performed were: Hollie Trevis and Ollie Proud, 'Reinstate Sarah', Zach Urch, Chelsea Paget and Chris Cox with Jake Stone and Jake Rayment.

Strode Students in Channel 4’s Skins

Strode Performing Arts and Media students recently took part in filming for the new series of Channel 4's Skins, a teenage drama which follows a group of Bristol sixth form students. Thirty five students travelled to Filton College in North Bristol for a full day of filming.  They will be on screen as extras in the new series which begins this month on E4.

Georgie Underwood, who lives in Bleadney near Wells, is studying Dance, Drama, Media and Film A levels at Strode College.  She said: "We had a great day being part of 'Skins' and we learnt that as well as acting, filming involves a lot of standing around, retakes from different angles, and attention to detail and continuity.  For the first few shots we were a little nervous, but things calmed down and we started to enjoy it.  The production team were really friendly and professional. "

"Our first scene took us four hours to do, and it will only take up about four minutes in the episode.  In the scene the main characters return to college, with some of us 'dressing' the set and others walking through the scene.  Later in the day we were in a scene where students arrive for a new school day.  Kerri Bruce (of Yeovil) and Hannah McCarthy (of Shepton Mallet) got a small part in this scene as 'fit girl 1 and 2'.  They had to walk past a car and laugh at one of the main characters as he got out of it. "

John Oram, Strode College's Drama Lecturer said "Our BTEC Broadcast Media students and Performing Arts students really enjoyed this experience.  They worked alongside professional actors and technical crew and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to find out about the hard work that goes into making TV Dramas.  They also learnt the discipline of performing to camera and the balance between long periods of waiting around and then intense moments of activity.  We are hoping to work with the production company again at a later date."

Christmas Treats from Strode Musicians

The audience at Strode Theatre enjoyed a musical treat last week, with some stunning performances from a range of Strode College's musical ensembles. The festive mood was set with a knitwear winter dress-code and some carols and Christmas songs sung beautifully, in close harmony, by Strode College A level Music students and the College choir.  This was followed by a relaxed and skilfully improvised number from the highly accomplished College jazz group.

The show also featured groups formed by talented students studying for the National Diploma in Music, who performed original songs and seasonal material with real flair and confidence.  Performing Arts students gave the audience a taste of delights to come from their forthcoming 80s musical, and the event was rounded off with vocal soloists coming together with the College ensemble and choir, to create an impressive grand finale.
Jamie Phippen, Strode College Music Lecturer said: "Our Christmas Concert is a great opportunity to see the rich and varied musical talent we have at College.  There was a real buzz about the event for the whole evening and the students left the stage with the highly appreciative audience calling for more."

Strode Students Raise the BPM

Music Technology students from Strode College travelled to Birmingham recently to visit the BPM DJ and Music Technology show; Europe's biggest event dedicated to DJing, electronic music production and club culture.

Students found plenty to do at the show.  There was an eclectic line-up of DJ sets and performances from big names and new talent, with every style of music covered.  There were educational seminars and workshops, discussion panels with music industry professionals, and an engaging mix of exhibits and demonstrations where students could try out new equipment.

They particularly enjoyed the Learning Zone which was run by the School of Audio Engineering, where they tried out software and synthesizers, including the  'Kaoss Pads' that allow easy and fun music production (see photo).  They also enjoyed talking to professionals about working in the music industry.

Adrian Smith, Strode's Music Technology Lecturer said: "The show places great emphasis on fresh ideas and innovative performance techniques, which is a real motivation for our students.  It was great for our students to see the very latest music technology and software and I'm sure the experience will inspire them to produce an excellent music technology performance project at Strode Theatre next year."

Strode Drama Students Team Up with Celebrities to Boost Teen Body Confidence

Strode College Performing Arts students joined a celebrity-packed cast on a West End stage recently to help boost body confidence amongst teenagers and young adults, and warn of the dangers of excessive dieting, fad diets and eating disorders.
The 'Body Gossip' performance was organised by the National Osteoporosis Society.  Poems, readings and monologues about body image were performed to an audience of schools and colleges.

Strode students performed readings from the 'Body Gossip' website expressing young people's views on the body image pressures they face.

Celebrities who also took to the stage for this World Osteoporosis Day performance included Craig Revel Horwood (Strictly Come Dancing) who read about his own experience with eating disorders, and Nikki Grahame (Big Brother) who talked about her struggle with anorexia and osteoporosis.
For photos of the event, please visit http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/

Photo: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall with Strode Performing Arts students (left to right) Chloe Murray (Bruton), Daisy Nicholson-Lailey (Street), Daisy Rendell and Yasmin Jones (Glastonbury), Rob Cook (Wells), Jazz Bell (Ashcott), Lee Rahn (Street) and Zoe Hodges (Yeovil).

Inspirational Dance from Strode Students

Strode Dance and Performing Arts students took their audience on an inspirational dance journey recently as they showcased their talents to a packed and appreciative audience at Strode Theatre.

The show, which featured students studying A Level Dance and National and First Diplomas in Performing Arts, demonstrated the variety of dance styles explored at Strode.  It also featured music composed and performed by some of Strode's music students.

There was a packed programme for the night with seventeen different dances taking the audience through a variety of styles, music, set design and moods.  Hard work and excellent training shone through as the show moved from the adrenaline fuelled contemporary piece exploring the rush of free falling, to the lively musical theatre group numbers including 'fame' and 'Rock 'n' Roll', street dances full of attitude and more subtle and emotive solos.

Highlights of the show included Rosa Manzi Reid from Shepton Mallet who is studying AS Dance.  She performed a well crafted and creative solo immersing herself in the music as she explored the passing of time using images seen from a train window.  Max Ives from Westbury Sub Mendip and Lewis Edge from Wincanton gave energetic and physical performances in the lively group dance based on the film 'The Matrix'.  Daisy Rendell from Glastonbury and Chloe Murray from Bruton gave a great rendition of a classic fifties rock and roll dance.

Becky Evans, Dance Lecturer at Strode said: "The show was a celebration of the students' hard work and achievement.  Our Dance and Performing Arts courses are innovative, diverse and challenging and this inspires our students to go on to further study.  Many of the students who performed in the show are hoping to follow in the footsteps of former students who have moved on to prestigious institutions such as the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Bath Spa University, Stella Mann College and Dartington College of Arts."
Sue Cooke who lives in Shepton Mallet brought her neighbour and their daughters to the show.  She said: "The choreography was excellent, the lighting, design and moving backdrops complemented the performances brilliantly, and the variety of moods and music was really great.  Our eleven year old girls were clearly inspired and talking afterwards about joining a dance class.  Who knows, we might see them in seven years time on the Strode Theatre stage!

Photos: (Above left) Strode street dancers - back row left to right: Roxy Bennett, Chris Mason. Becky Pett, Amber Gray, Maia Pelham-Greene, Sophie Rissotto, Josh Duck, Katrine Walters, and front row left to right: Lucy Sanger, Vicky Batley, Kahli Davis, Katrina Sheldon.
(Above right) Rosa Manzi Reid from Shepton Mallet immersed in the music.
(Top) Dancers in freefall (from left to right): Georgie Underwood of Wells, Megan Leigh of Ilchester, Tiphanie Bintcliffe of Somerton and Carys Smith of Gurney Slade.