College Music department receives record investment

The Music Technology team at Shrewsbury Colleges Group have had top-of-the-range equipment added to their classrooms and studios.

An investment of £100,000 has been given to the Music Technology department at Shrewsbury Colleges Group’s London Road Campus, including development of the buildings and facilities.

One of the College’s recording studios has been kitted out with a state-of-the-art mixing desk, new professional standard studio monitors and outboard processing units. This allows the students to get hands on with professional studio equipment and to develop the practical skills required to operate in commercial studios.

The production suite has also been decked out with 21 high specification Mac computers with the latest versions of Pro Tools and Logic Pro X, bringing the student’s production capabilities to commercial standards. This new software and equipment is in line with professional production standards and what is used at universities. In addition, there is a smaller production suite that allows students to continue to develop their craft outside of class time.

Level 2 Music Technology student, Cameron Morris, from Newport, has taken full advantage of the new equipment: “I am so excited to start using the Pioneer DJ equipment - this is the area that I want to focus on and with these new decks I have the chance to build on my skills. I chose Shrewsbury Colleges Group because it already had better facilities than my local college, but now these new additions just make it the best!”

Music Technology Teacher, Ian Round, said: “The industry moves so fast that it is important that we invest in the facilities and equipment to keep us up to date. The investment has opened up opportunities for students at all levels to work with professional software and hardware. This will prepare them for the next step in their career, whether it’s to a Level 3 or HND course here at the College, to University or straight into the industry.”

To find out more about courses at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, come to an Open Evening, on 24 October and 8 November, from 5-8pm or call 01743 342441