Pontefract music students hit all the right notes

Music students from New College Pontefract are hitting all the right notes after a string of successes.
Pictured from left: Alana Wan, Lucy Mulheir, Wendy Westmoreland and Charlotte Atkinson together in the Performance Academy at New College PontefractPictured from left: Alana Wan, Lucy Mulheir, Wendy Westmoreland and Charlotte Atkinson together in the Performance Academy at New College Pontefract
Pictured from left: Alana Wan, Lucy Mulheir, Wendy Westmoreland and Charlotte Atkinson together in the Performance Academy at New College Pontefract

Wendy Westmoreland and Alana Wan both sat and passed their grade 5 music theory exams. This is offered as one of the vast array of lunchtime enrichment activities at the college.

Lucy Mulheir has gained a distinction in her grade 8 singing and Charlotte Atkinson, who is currently in year 12 studying A-Level Music, spent the Easter holidays playing in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

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Charlotte said: “Following my successful audition last summer, I was invited to join 85 other musicians under the age of 19, at an Easter residential course which was held for eight days at Taunton School.

“We had full band rehearsals approximately three times a day which were interjected by sectional rehearsals approximately two times a day and various master classes.

“Being a member of The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain was honestly one of the best experiences of my life and I feel so privileged and thankful to have been given the opportunity.”

Wendy Westmoreland, speaking about New College’s enrichment programme, said: “Before attending extra curricular sessions, I did not have much knowledge on music theory. In order to get into my preferred university, I needed to have this grade.

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“After college, I plan to go to Leeds College of Music to do the BA Hons Popular Music course. Now that I have my grade 5, I will be able to pursue this.”

Head of Performing Arts at New College Pontefract, Michelle Colvill, said: “I am really proud of all of the girls for their achievements.”