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Abbey Road Institute | Global Graduation Ceremony 2018

On October 26th, students from the Abbey Road Institutes in Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Melbourne met with families, friends and guests from the industry at Abbey Road Studios, London for the global graduation. They received their Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering in the famous Studio Two, where The Beatles, Pink Floyd and many more have recorded.

Our graduates’ big day began with a welcome by the CEO of the Abbey Road Institute, Luca Barassi. He praised the dedication and hard work students have put in over the past 12 months and motivated them to continue working on themselves. „It’s a unique experience to be part of the history of Abbey Road Studios. You can rightfully be proud of that.“

Abbey Road Institute CEO Luca Barassi addressing the graduates in Studio Two

Abbey Road Institute CEO Luca Barassi

During the ceremony, all graduates received their diplomas from the hands of the respective institute managers and academic directors. Barbara Skoda-Busch, Managing Director of the Abbey Road Institute, Germany, praised the great development of the German students. „Music producer and sound engineer is a profession that requires passion. You all have this passion and we are proud of what you already achieved.“

The graduates of Abbey Road Institute Berlin with academic director Stefan Weiser, institute manager Tolga Tolun and ARI Germany MD Barbara Skoda-Busch in Studio Two

The graduates of Abbey Road Institute Berlin with academic director Stefan Weiser, institute manager Tolga Tolun and ARI Germany MD Barbara Skoda-Busch

After the official diploma handover, the day was celebrated with a fabulous party in Studio One, to which numerous representatives of the international music industry had also come. The party was emceed by Ramera Abraham, a graduate of the Abbey Road Institute, London. Amongst others, she invited Isabel Garvey, Managing Director of Abbey Road Studios and David Sharpe, Chief Operating Officer of Universal Music UK to the stage. Both spoke about the successes of our growing alumni network and gave the graduates inspiring advice and tips for their future in the music industry.

David Sharpe (COO Universal Music und Isabel Garvey (MD Abbey Road Studios) on stage in Studio One

Isabel Garvey (MD Abbey Road Studios) and David Sharpe (COO Universal Music)

The aspiring singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis who recently signed a contract with Universal Music, took over the musical part. An impressive performance by the newcomer from Oxford, from whom you will undoubtedly hear a lot more.

Singer Songwriter Rhys Lewis auf der Bühne in Studio One

Singer Songwriter Rhys Lewis live on stage in Studio One

Afterwards, graduates from all Abbey Road Institute locations took the opportunity to talk to each other, exchange ideas about their projects and pursue networking.

A group of graduates from Frankfurt on the stairs of Abbey Road Studios

The graduates from Frankfurt on the stairs of Abbey Road Studios

Lucy Pape, graduate of the Abbey Road Institute, Frankfurt, summarizes her impressions of the day: „It is like a dream come true. The atmosphere of the Abbey Road Studios is more than impressive, it makes you actually feel real music history. „Yannick Sahlmen, a graduate from Berlin, adds:“ I am so happy that I did this course. What I learned here in the way of practical knowledge and skills is unique. The concluding graduation ceremony was the icing on the cake.“

On behalf of our graduates, their families, friends and guests from the industry, the team from Abbey Road Institutes, Berlin and Frankfurt would like to thank the Abbey Road Studios, London team for this successful day. We are already looking forward to the graduation ceremony in 2019.

In the studio with Abbey Road Engineer Stefano Civetta

And another highlight awaited our graduates. Over the following two days, they had a hands-on workshop with Abbey Road Engineer Stefano Civetta. But more about that in the next blog.

CURIOUS TO SEE MORE?

These are just a few highlights of the evening, there’s lots more to see on our Facebook Gallery and on Flickr

ASPIRATIONS TO JOIN OUR NEXT COURSE?

Find out more about our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering on the course page.

 

Text: Susi Schiller, Translation: Terri Smith