Musical Instrument Craft Students Celebrate Completing Their Studies at Recognition Evening

The annual Musical Instrument Crafts Celebration Evening was held to recognise the unique skills and passion of degree students for making and renovating musical instruments, as well as highlight the 50th anniversary of the course at Newark College.

The celebration event, held at Barnby Gate Methodist Church on Friday, June 30, Newark, welcomed students, colleagues and distinguished guests of the College. 

During the event, professional musicians gave a taste of the newly hand-crafted instruments with exceptional performances, including from The Tedesca Quartet playing newly crafted string instruments and Michael Watts on student-made guitars.

Graduating Piano Tuning and Restoration student, Hossein Degani, played and sang two spectacular performances on the Church's grand piano he had tuned earlier in the day, and graduating Woodwind Making and Repair students, Amber Herrod and Henry Doe, performed on the flute and oboe.

A surprise folk group addition, formed of past and current students of the Musical Instrument Craft degrees, was also performed using a range of instruments the students had handmade - from guitar, violin, cello, mandolin and more. The group, who meet weekly to play together, delighted audiences with two lively folk performances showcasing their many talents.

The evening concluded with certificates to the students and a prize-giving ceremony, with spotlight awards for ‘Endeavour’, ‘Most Improved Student’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’, thanks to the generosity of the evening’s sponsors.  

Jill Maynard, Head of Creative Arts at Lincoln College Group, said: "We welcomed guests, parents, friends and graduating students for summer 2023 together. It was an evening of outstanding music performed by very talented musicians and past and present students.

"We are grateful for the support of a number of sponsors from the piano, guitar, woodwind and lutherie trade, as well as the donation of some very generous prizes from individuals and Trusts, all of whom are keen to recognise the endeavour and dedication our students have shown in their studies."

A formal graduation ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral will be held on Wednesday 11th October 2023. Find out more about our BA (Hons) Musical Instrument Craft degrees on our School of Musical Instrument Crafts website.