Tag Archives: award

Newcastle College lecturer’s band returns from Hollywood with prestigious music award

Posted on March 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

Brian Emerson
A lecturer at Newcastle College has made a triumphant return from Hollywood after winning a prestigious music award with his blues band.

Music Lecturer Brian Emerson has returned from a glamorous ceremony on the Sunset Strip, where his band, the Trevor Sewell Band, picked up the Best Blues Artist award at the Artists in Music Awards.

The band’s songs attracted the attention of the awards judges after receiving heavy rotation among the thousands of Californian radio stations dedicated to Americana and Blues music.

The band is now hoping to pick up the Best Blues Artist award at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMAs), which are also held in Hollywood in November.

Brian, who comes from Greenside in Gateshead, has been a life-long friend of front man Trevor Sewell and decided to join his band in 2011 as base player after the pair had previously played together as part of successful 80s heavy metal group Tygers of Pan Tang.

The band recently released its debut album ‘Calling Your Name’, which was number one in the American Blues Scene Chart for seven weeks, and will be celebrating their achievements by performing at The Cluny pub in Newcastle on April 4 as part of a ‘Hollywood After Party’.

Brian said: “Winning such a prestigious Hollywood music award was a fantastic experience, as was meeting so many of my guitar heroes on the night.

“I have known Trevor for a long time and it just seemed like a natural step to rejoin him in his new band. We are starting to really get noticed in the States and will hopefully go on to win at the HMMAs in November.

“It may seem strange for us to be heading up a blues band after playing in a heavy metal band, but I guess it just comes with changing tastes as you get older and the interest musicians have in discovering the roots and heritage of modern day music.”

For Brian, the award win has given him even greater experience to pass on to music students at Newcastle College’s Performance Academy, which range from Level 3 Music students to those studying FDA Music Production Year 1 and 2. Brian is working closely with students looking to forward on demos to the College’s in-house record label Push Puzzle, and also produced the label’s first release by the band “The Face”.

He said: “Having had success in very different bands, I feel I am in a good position to develop the talented music students we have here at Newcastle College, both in terms of their musicality and to guide them through the pitfalls of the industry.”

The Trevor Sewell Band will perform at The Cluny in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle, on Thursday April 4.Tickets cost £7.00 and doors open at 8pm.

For more information on Newcastle College’s music courses visit www.ncl-coll.ac.uk

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Posted in Awards, Music and Media, Performing Arts

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Newcastle College student brushes off the competition to win Painter of the Year prize

Posted on November 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

A Newcastle College apprentice has won the Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition after impressing judges with his decorating prowess.

Daniel Halliday, from Swalwell in Gateshead, competed against seven of the UK’s most talented decorators while under the watchful glare of thousands of professionals at the National Painting and Decorating Show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

The 24 year old, who is studying for a Diploma in Painting and Decorating at Newcastle College, was tasked with undertaking two days of highly skilled painting at the event, which included applying different types of paint, selecting and using tools and applying stencils.

Daniel, who is serving his apprenticeship at his dad’s business Danny Halliday Painter and Decorator, was pleased to improve on his third place position in last year’s national final and was able to walk away with an array of first prizes, including an LCD TV, an iPad and a digital camera.

Daniel said: “It’s been an incredible experience and I’m just delighted to have won. The nerves were really jangling but in the end I managed to keep it together and I’m thrilled to have come out on top. I was able to use many of the skills and techniques that I have learned through my course at Newcastle College, which really helped me in the final.”

The competition saw over 180 entrants battle it out between eight regional heats, before eight national finalists were selected.

Nicky Turnbull, from the http://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/construction-and-the-built-environment.aspx” target=”_blank”>School of Construction at Newcastle College, said: “Daniel is an exceptional apprentice and is a credit to the college and his tutors. He’s learned a lot over the past year, which has helped him to go on and become Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year this time around.”

Johnstone’s technical trainer Ken Hopkins said: “What is particularly great about the Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition is that the finalists really do have to perform under pressure and complete complex tasks in timed conditions and in full view of thousands of professionals. Now in its eighth year, the 2012 event has been the most successful to date and it’s great to see so much young talent out there.”

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Posted in Apprenticeships, Art & Design, Student achievements

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Recognition for teenager who rebuilt education after Leukaemia

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Alan Bainbridge thought his dream of working in the construction industry was lost three years ago when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. But the teenager has fought back with support from Newcastle College and has now been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Building North East for his bravery and determination.

Alan, 17 from Blyth, discovered that he had Leukaemia when he was in Year 9. His illness left him unable to attend school full time and as a result he had to sit his GCSEs a year later than his peers.

After years of intense Chemotherapy, Alan was finally given the all clear in August 2011 and enrolled on an Extended Diploma in Construction just a month later. Still weakened by the treatment, Alan required the use of a wheelchair and needed support with his studies while he regained his strength.

He was referred to the college’s Learning Support Service who assigned him with Specialist Assessment Officer, Helen Norton. Helen worked with Alan and his family to ensure that his transition back into education was as smooth as possible. She also provided advice and guidance to teaching staff to ensure that Alan was able to have flexibility to complete his studies where needed.

Alan’s hard work and determination impressed everyone who worked with him at the college and led to his tutor, Gregg Wood nominating him for the Chartered Institute of Building North East Student of the Year Award 2012 , which he went on to win.

Inspired by Alan’s story and his passion to succeed, the Institute also decided to create a special award for him which recognises his achievements and bravery against the odds. 

Alan said: “The past few years have been tough, but getting the all clear was a real second chance for me. I am now totally focussed on completing my course and getting a place at University. The college has been fantastic. They have really supported me every step of the way, even the days when it just seemed too hard to continue. I am really pleased to have my hard work and efforts recognised. It really does make it all seem worthwhile.”

Alan is now on course to complete his qualification and hopes to progress on to University.

Gregg Wood, Lecturer in the School of Construction at Newcastle College, said: “Alan is an inspiration to us all. A great deal of his teenage years has been spent in hospital and yet he never uses this as a barrier to achieving his goals. It takes great determination to return to education after such a traumatic experience, but Alan has a great work ethic and is a very determined young man. I am confident that he can achieve whatever he sets his mind to and I am sure he will have a long and successful career ahead.”

Tim Barrett, Branch Chair of the Chartered Institute of Building North East said: “Alan can be seen to be an inspiration to all and his determination to complete his education and move into the construction industry should be used as an example to show what can be achieved through personal determination and the support of those around. I am sure Alan will go onto great success within the industry.”

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Posted in Awards, Construction, Student achievements

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Student photographer is the picture of success

Posted on September 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

A Newcastle College student has snapped up the title of Fujifilm Student Photographer of the Year 2011.

Clelia Maumene, from Amiens in France, who is studying a Foundation Degree in Commercial Photographic Practicewithin the college’s School of Creative Industries, was chosen over hundreds of entries to take the coveted title through her photographic interpretation of the theme, Senses.

"Hello Darkness My Old Friend" - Clelia Maumene

Clelia’s winning photograph, titled ‘Hello darkness my old friend’, was a thought provoking image of a human body covered in braille depicting the sense of sight and touch. Clelia impressed the judges with her interpretation, vision and attention to detail.

The Fujifilm Student Photographer of the Year Awards are open to photography students across the UK. Initial images are submitted via the competition website and from these 19 Merit winners are invited to submit a print for final judging.

Along with Clelia, two other Newcastle College students, Cody Gibson and Jeremy Freeman Wood, were also chosen to go through to the final stage.

Clelia’s image was chosen by a panel of expert judges, including leading wildlife photographer Roger Hooper. She will now receive £200 worth of Fujifilm films, a trophy, plus a professional quality portfolio. The printing will be supervised by Genesis Imaging’s creative director, Mark Foxwell, who will mentor Clelia for the next twelve months. In addition, Newcastle College will receive a certificate and £200 worth of Fujifilm film.

Clelia said: “I am thrilled to have won and to have my skills recognised within such a prestigious competition. The brief challenged us to think outside of the box and demonstrate the importance of the senses through visual imagery. Through my Foundation Degree we are regularly presented with live briefs and I think this really helped me to hone my creativity and think outside the box with my photography.”

Ken Sethi, Genesis production director and judge, said: “Clelia’s image has the feel of an advertising shot and combines some ingenious elements. In reference to the brief ‘Senses’ the image cleverly links touch and sight whilst also referencing the impact of the loss of a sense, in this case blindness. The sheet of braille contains a line from The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel, ‘Hello darkness my old friend’ which shows a great attention to detail.”

Gabriel Da Costa from Fujifilm Professional commented on the Awards: “The theme for this year’s awards was Senses and the brief obviously appealed to students as we received some really imaginative, well executed images. It’s very encouraging see the next generation of professionals have such vision and skill.”

He continued: “As ever, the standard of entries was high and the judges had a difficult task in selecting the overall winner. Clelia is a worthy winner and I’m sure the help and guidance she will receive from Mark Foxwell from Genesis Imaging will help her further her career enormously.”

 

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Posted in Art & Design, Awards

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IB student calculates success with world-class exam results

Posted on July 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

A Newcastle Sixth Form College student has proved he is one of the best in the country by receiving almost full marks in the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Connor Russell, 18 from Sunniside, collected his results today and was awarded 43 out of a maximum of 45 marks, placing him well above the national average.

Connor, who has been accepted into the London School of Economics, achieved full marked in five of his subjects, including Higher Levels Maths.

The percentage of students awarded the full IB Diploma was well above the IB world average.

Newcastle College is the only IB world school in the city. The IB is a challenging two year programme of international education for 16-18 year olds and is an alternative to A Levels. It leads to a highly valued qualification that is recognised by universities and employers across the world.

The IB was founded in 1968 and is studied by more than 746,000 students world-wide. Students take six core subjects, with an additional chosen subject. They are also required to study an extended essay on a topic of choice; Creative, Action, Service (CAS), including involvement in creative activity, sport and student engagement in social work or community engagement and Theory of Knowledge (ToK), a course of at least 100 hours which encourages students to be critical thinkers.

Connor said: “I can’t believe my results. I thought I had done well, but would never have imagined that I would get maximum points in five of my 6 subjects. The IB has been a fantastic experience, developing me personally as well as academically and I am now very excited to continue my education at the London School of Economics.”

Lynda Evans, Senior Manager in Newcastle Sixth Form College, said: “This is an outstanding achievement for our students. The IB is a highly valued qualification which is welcomed by universities across the world, due to the range of topics covered and the emphasis on encouraging students to be critical thinkers and consider the environment that they live in. We are particularly delighted for Connor.

“This is the highest mark a student at the college has ever achieved and will undoubtedly one of the best marks in the country this year. Connor’s acceptance to London School of Economics is testament to the value of the IB and the various progression routes available to students on the course.”

For more information on the International Baccalaureate at Newcastle Sixth Form College visit www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/sixth-form/courses/international-baccalaureate.aspx or contact the college switchboard on 0191 2004000.

 

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Posted in Awards, Sixth Form, Student achievements

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