Behind the music scenes at Croydon College

When being interviewed for the 123 Testing contest, students on a music course couldn't praise highly enough the tuition received at Croydon College. Their sheer enthusiasm for the department and its teaching moved Patsy Payne to find out more from lecturer Andy Ebsworth

WHILE a new annexe to the main Fairfield college goes ahead, the college's music department is housed in temporary accommodation in Davidson Road.

The tutor who greets me is professional musician Andy Ebsworth who up to a decade ago was still touring until he met up with live production and staging specialist, John Trehern, studio manager at the college.

Said Andy: "Without a doubt it is John Trehern who built this department to what it is from it's early beginnings.

"He directed it to where we are now and for the last five or six years we have been bearing the fruit."

By which he means pupils developing their abilities to 'beyond maximum potential' and going on to worthy careers in the music industry.

He added: "I cannot emphasise enough that none of this would be here without the hard work and total commitment put in by John."

It's certainly an impressive outfit with Level 2 and Level 3 students having full use of instruments, equipment, the latest computerised systems and their own state-of-the-art recording facilities.

Jeff Chambers, also a talented musician brings the creative and compositional aspect to students, covering music theory and practice and helping them with their instrumentation.

Andy who outside of the college works at his private studios, is the one who covers the studio production side.

Throughout our interview perched among the boxes of demo discs, DVDs and instruments he is occasionally interrupted by students clearly on a project that's fired them with enthusiasm.

It's a new world and a different language for me - 'I wanna make a beat man' means a lot to an experienced listener.

Said Andy: "When they apply for this course they do not have to have played an instrument. They just need to have four GCSEs at C and above and a passion for music.

"It's a rigorous audition and we talk to them - we see there passion. We see them grow from nothing to performing on an instrument or making music on a computer.

"We encourage them, offering formative feedback. Our aim is to help them achieve much more than their expected full potential and if they are expected to get a Merit for example, nine times out of ten we see them get a Distinction. It really is about the passion they have for music."

And the parents seem equally passionate about the art with parent evenings attracting mums and dads keen to find out more about their child's progress.

"They are extremely supportive and we always have a good turn-out on parents evening," said Andy.

On the day I called students were busily designing a CD sleeve for their new CD which they are launching at the end of the 123 Testing competition in which many students took part. They were also getting ready for gigs they were appearing in.

Said Andy "The students are really buzzing about all the attention they're getting!

"They are playing at The Jolly Farmers in Purley Cross and the next night we are at The Vintage Bar in Surrey Street Croydon

"The students did all the work themselves, from performing, recording and mixing the songs, to designing CD artwork and posters and organising the show."

There is a big emphasis on live performance and performing to invited and paying audiences with opportunities to present original songs to the public.

In preparation students collaborate in developing, rehearsing and performing a portfolio of original material.

Said Andy: "It is vital they work together to develop not only the songs but also their personal vocal or instrumental skills.

"They must show they can work effectively as part of a group and make valuable contributions to the processes." he added.

Assignments are given throughout the term with projects designed to help students develop a wide range of skills in live performance; creating performances of their own songs, interpreting different genres of music and multitrack recording and mixing.

Said Andy: "All these skills are vital if they are to be successful contributors to the music industry when they leave college."

The students are so keen to learn here it's a joy to see their interest. I spoke to one student Frankie Kamal who raps with the band Unknown.

He loves the college and the meeting of minds with all his contemporaries and the tutors: "We have the same goals and ambitions - most of us want to go onto university to study. Coming here has been absolutely brilliant and I rate the course very highly."

Gordon Hall, is another whose ambitions are backed by talent. "It's a very professional environment and is just like a working environment. It's so much better than we thought. It's brilliant."

Tina Richards is a songwriter, producer and singer. She said: "We get so much support from the teachers it's amazing. This course is wonderful and we can do everything from live music to digital making music.

Her view is endorsed by another student, Hannah Tailleur who said: "It's absolutely incredible the amount of stuff we've learned. I feel its a really really good department."