Graduation Event Celebrates Newark Students’ Musical Craftsmanship

Violins, guitars and other instruments that had been created by students of Newark College Musical Instrument Crafts course were played by professional musicians in the stunning setting of Barnby Road Methodist Church at the Graduation Ceremony on Friday (28th June).

Performers included guitarist Clive Carroll, who has toured the world and played a selection of blues, folk as well as original songs on guitars made by students and The Tedesca Quartet, who played classical music using violins, violas and cellos crafted at the college.

The college continues to attract international students from Europe and beyond as well as local talent. James Pinchbeck, Chair of the Board of Corporation for the Lincoln College Group attended the event and presented graduating students with their diplomas and degrees.

He believes that the college’s reputation is the reason for its international appeal and that Newark is an ideal location for students to move to, “There’s passion and support and students get welcomed with open arms when they come here. We know that students feel safe, secure and settled in Newark and that it’s a friendly environment.”

Manuel Aragon-Gimeno from Santander has just finished the second year of his three year guitar making course, “Newark is a lovely town and so different to where I come from.”

The evening, which was hosted by Carla Greene of BBC Radio Lincolnshire, also included a prize giving ceremony in which outstanding students were picked by their tutors to win materials to make more musical instruments after graduation.

One of these winners was Adrian Smith from Mansfield who had returned to the college to do a guitar making course after completing the woodwind course five years previously. Adrian described the college course as “brilliant” and had made four guitars throughout his time at the college. “I love Newark, it’s got a nice feel to it - I’m just thinking of another course I can do to come back!”

The Musical Instrument Crafts school was founded in 1972 and now offers courses in piano tuning and repair and woodwind instrument crafting as well as string instrument repair and construction. The college has recently started to provide degree courses in partnership with the University of Hull.

Photo: Graduating students from the Newark College Musical Instruments Craft Courses with tutors and James Pinchbeck from Lincoln College Group.

Audio: James Pinchbeck discusses the reputation of Newark College’s Musical Instrument Crafts school.