By Sophie Nevrkla
Nottingham is set to expand its focus on contemporary music education with the creation of the Confetti Institute Of Creative Technologies, a new home for music and live events. Part of the Marco Island site on Huntingdon Street is being transformed into a contemporary music and events education hub of “European significance”.
The ground floor and basement of the complex will be transformed into music studios, rehearsal rooms, sound recording and editing suites, social spaces and a 300-capacity auditorium. The first elements will be ready for students enrolling in October 2017, and is expected to be fully operational by Spring 2018.
The facilities will be available to students applying to Confetti to study both college-level and degree courses in music performance, music technology and live and technical events production.
Speaking about the expansion, Craig Chettle, founder and chief executive Confetti Institute Of Creative Technologies, said: “Our role is all about harnessing talent and creating the best opportunities for success. We have always re-invested in our facilities to stay current but this development takes our provision for music and events to another level. It makes Nottingham a “must go to” destination for contemporary music education. Students learning the nuts and bolts of the music and events industries will be guaranteed the best possible learning opportunities and will acquire the skills required by the industries they want to work in”.
The developments at Confetti have been financed by parent company Nottingham Trent University. Confetti at Marco Island is the second Confetti site being developed this year as part of Confetti’s campus developments. Industry specialists White Mark will be completing the acoustic and technical design on the site.
Professor Edward Peck, vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, said: “As our Gold rating in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework highlighted, all of us at Nottingham Trent University are committed to providing an excellent student experience across our campuses. These new facilities will secure that for our Creative Quarter Campus students. Combined with continuing work to create Confetti’s Digital Media Hub, these developments will not only provide positive benefits for the students fortunate enough to study there, but will also generate additional economic benefits for creative businesses in the area and further enhance the reach and reputation of Nottingham’s Creative Quarter.”
David Bell, managing director White Mark, added: “Confetti’s new Contemporary Music Hub will, undoubtedly, be an educational centre of European significance. Its facilities - both in quality and variety, will fully reflect the highest standards of the professional work place and offer students a learning experience in a context that truly represents the world in which they hope to succeed."
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