Case Studies: Excellence in Performing Arts
Performing Arts Entrance and On-Course Scholarships celebrate students who have demonstrated determination, commitment and achievement in dance, drama, music and physical theatre.
Recipients of Excellence in Performing Arts Scholarships have been recognised for successes including winning the Derbyshire Young Achievers Award for a community theatre project, being crowned Young Musician of Kenya and winning the British Quartet Championships.
One student recognised for excellence in performing arts has overcome injury after a serious car accident to continue pursuing her dream of a career in dancing. She now devotes much of her time to choreographing routines for younger students and aims to use her experience to inspire children to overcome difficulties and achieve their goals.
You can find out about more about one of our Performing Arts scholars by reading his profile below.
Alan Hughes
Since gaining his place at university, Alan Hughes' life has been a musical whirlwind. In the summer, his award-winning Barbershop Quartet ‘Monkey Magic' was spotted at an international competition, handed a million pound recording contract with Sony and has just finished recording a Christmas album. All this and an Excellence in Performing Arts scholarship from Edge Hill!
"I can't believe it's happening," laughs Alan, "it's all gone a bit mad. I've now got to fit gigs, interviews and photo shoots to promote the album into my studies - it's going to be quite a juggling act but I'm really looking forward to it."
With his dad in a Barbershop Quartet, it's not surprising that Alan was singing from an early age. He joined a male choir aged ten and later helped set up the National Barbershop Youth Chorus, aimed at getting boys interested in singing. He was the group's tenor section-leader until recently and still acts as a mentor to younger performers.
At 21 Alan joined the Bolton-based Cottontown Chorus, who have been crowned British Barbershop Champions three times and won the 2008 Radio 3 Choir of the Year Adult Championships.
Alan formed his own Barbershop Quartet with three friends in 2007 and, just nine months later, the group won the 2008 British Quartet Championships. Since then they have represented the UK three times at the International Barbershop Convention, - where they were spotted this year by the label which also boasts the likes of Beyonce and Leona Lewis. Now, as one quarter of the Great British Barbershop Boys, Alan is contemplating life as a member of the country's newest, and most unusual, boy band.
"We only started the group as a social thing," says Alan. "We thought it would be a good way to meet people while doing something we enjoyed. We're just ordinary lads - it's hard to believe we could have a Christmas No.1 in a few weeks' time!
"Winning the Performing Arts scholarship is the icing on the cake of an amazing few months."
Alan intends to continue training as a music teacher and thinks his newfound fame will add to his success in the classroom.
"I hope kids see what I've achieved and think it's OK to be interested in singing and music," says Alan. "Barbershop might be a bit quirky but it's a unique art form, and sometimes it's good to be different."
Course: PGCE Secondary Music
Excellence in Performing Arts Scholarships: Prospective Students | Current Students
