BA (Hons) Popular Music
“I was excited about studying music and when I visited New College Durham, I knew it was the place I wanted to be."
Thomas said he always wanted to study music.
He said:
"I progressed from Level 3 to the Foundation Degree and Top-up Degree in music at New College Durham because I had already learnt so much, it seemed an obvious choice to continue.
“All of my lecturers were great and were musicians themselves outside of teaching at the College. They created a really nice environment and the music department felt like a real community. I got to know and work with so many other students across different levels and courses.
“I found the practical nature of the course really pushed me to develop my playing and approach to music performance – this has directly fed into my professional work. The modules were really varied and allowed me the flexibility to pursue some of my own specialisms, particularly in final year. The quality of students on the course is really high and the lecturers were hugely knowledgeable, skilled and supportive.
“Since graduating I have been working full-time as a professional musician, with a range of bands on various projects. I have also been teaching at a music school in Hartlepool, delivering drum lessons to students of different ages and abilities. In January, I will be enrolling on a PgCE with a view to teach in school permanently.”
Thomas is now working as a full-time musician while training to be a teacher.