UCOL BLOG

UCOL Wairarapa expects strong support from the Wairarapa music scene for its new Contemporary Music Performance programme, on offer for next year.

It is the first time a professional music qualification has been available at UCOL Wairarapa but Campus Manager Angela Hewitt says the programme can only go ahead if enough students enrol. “It has a strong practical component and involves students forming bands. It needs a reasonable number of enrolments to work as a study programme,” she says.

Programme Leader Kane Parsons, who heads the Contemporary Music programme from UCOL in Palmerston North, says the 34 week programme is based on the highly successful certificate offered by the Auckland based Music + Audio Institute of New Zealand or MAINZ.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for musicians who already have some proficiency in singing or playing an instrument to improve their performance and learn new skills. We are big on live performance. Students form bands and are trained to perform in eight different styles during the year. There will be regular band rehearsals, 13 hours per week of classroom tuition and practical tuition and practical tutorials covering music theory, composition, and in arranging music.  Read More: “New UCOL programme supports Wairarapa music scene”…

Kane Parsons is taking a short break from leading UCOL’s Certificate in Contemporary Music to tread the boards once again with his solo show All the Right Notes – Just Not Necessarily in the Right Order.

Inspired by Danish Pianist/Comedian Victor Borge, Kane’s is a family show in the style of the man  known as the Clown Prince of Denmark. “Victor Borge instantly appealed to me, because of the way he took classical music and took the mickey out of it, compared to the usual seriousness associated with it.

  Read More: “All the Right Notes – Just Not Necessarily in the Right Order”…

UCOL Diploma of Performing Arts students will tackle Chekov in their end of year production.

Next week the actors will perform The Seagull under the creative directorship of UCOL Performing Arts tutor Jaime Dorner.

Jaime is renowned for challenging his students with contemporary and physically demanding theatre.

“The students have responded well to the tragic nature of The Seagull, portraying characters who aspire to be what they will never become,” says Jaime.

  Read More: “The Seagull takes off at the Globe”…

Two Whanganui UCOL culinary arts graduates Matthew Smith and Jessica Davidson are going to gain valuable work experience in a luxury 5-star Hotel in Oman over the summer. 

The new intern initiative has been established by Whanganui  UCOL Programme Leader Tim Snape and the Chedi Hotel  and is an opportunity for UCOL Level 4 Culinary Arts graduates to travel to Oman and train in the hospitality industry during Oman’s peak tourist season of December to March.  Mr Snape said “this exciting opportunity is a reward for selected students and recognizes the hard work they have done over their two years of study. We hope that Matthew and Jessica are the first of many that will have the privilege to experience such a high level of food production and service, as well as be ambassadors for UCOL and New Zealand.  It will be career defining for them.  Read More: “Graduates offered opportunities abroad”…

The artistic excellence of three Whanganui UCOL glass students has been recognised by the arts sector.

Linda Satchwell is this year’s recipient of the Doyle Glass Acquisition Prize. Linda is a second year student from the Whanganui UCOL Diploma in Glass Design and Production programme.

She receives $1,000 from Doyle and Associates the Accountants in Whanganui, who acquire the winning piece titled The Flow into the Doyle Corporate Collection.

Linda used a closed casting technique, using gaffer casting glass, to create the dramatic work.

Read More: “Wanganui Glass School students shine”…

Nine highly motivated UCOL students received tangible recognition of their achievements and support for further study, in a scholarship awards ceremony held today.

The Palmerston North scholarships range in value from $500 to $1000. A total prize pool of $6,750 was available to reward students’ efforts and attracted a high standard of applications.

Bachelor of Fine Arts student Sarah Williams and Diploma in Veterinary Nursing student Lisa Preston are joint winners of the UCOL Scholarship for Effort and Achievement.

Read More: “UCOL rewards top scholars”…