The Music Centre office is now located in the grounds of the Ballynahinch High School, just behind Carlisle's garage. See contacts page for details.

Jamie Cullum and Sibelius inspire music students

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum visited Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, Northern Ireland to give a seminar to music students on songwriting and the music industry, prior to his sold-out Waterfront show on November 8.

Jamie - currently touring the world promoting his hugely successful, recently released Catching Tales album - is a strong supporter of music in schools and hopes to impart to the students some of the unique knowledge he and his band have amassed during their incredible rise to global stardom and multi-million record sales.

"To hear that musicians of Jamie's and Geoff's calibre are using the same software validates the pupils' work far beyond what a visiting tutor can hope to achieve."
Gary Myles (Music Technology Support for SEELB)

The visit was organised with music software company Sibelius and South Eastern Music Centre tutor Gary Myles, and came after a chance conversation with Sibelius when Gary was talking to a staff member and heard the (as then unreleased) Catching Tales record playing in the background. All post-primary schools in Northern Ireland use the software to help students learn composing skills.

Gary mentioned his admiration for the songwriting qualities of Jamie and bass player Geoff Gascoyne, and the idea for a school visit was born once it emerged that the band were soon to visit Belfast and were also keen fans of Sibelius music software.

Jamie and Geoff talked to about 40 GCSE and A-level students during their visit to Sullivan Upper School, playing some music, hosting a question and answer session and talking about what makes a hit song.

UCAS POINTS for MUSIC GRADES

Students with Associated Board passes at grades 6, 7 and 8 will in future benefit from official recognition for their qualifications from UCAS - the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

Points are available for both Practical (instrumental and singing) and Theory exams. Students applying for university and college entrance for courses starting in 2004-05 and beyond will benefit from the following points recommendations: