One of the graduates is a personal friend, and I had the chance to see him and 2 others grads in a band called 'Roll a Penny' over the weekend. (They did a short tour in the midlands - Tamworth, Lichfield and Ashby)

They have developed immense musical ability and created sublime arrangements of traditional and original material.

They are, however, very aware that they will be operating in a competetive environment and will have the same problems as anyone else in getting good paid gigs.

Whether they become succesful professional musicians will depend on their own will-power - just like anyone else. What the course has given them is insight, confidence, experience and most importantly - contacts within the industry.

Good luck to all of them - they will need it the same as everyone else!

Barry