An Avolites Pearl was put through its paces by enthusiastic students at Ebbw Vale campus of Gwent Tertiary College in Wales for their end of term concert.

Avolites has always recognised the importance of encouraging the upcoming generation of lighting professionals. As part of this commitment, the company has always been happy to supply colleges with technical and lighting design courses with equipment and tries as far as possible to accommodate their budgets.

Ebbw Vale campus is one of these. The college runs two and three year BTEC Performing Arts Rock and Pop courses at First and National Diploma levels. Two years ago, course tutor Jan Orborne successfully applied for a National Lottery grant to help fund the purchase of new, professional level lighting and sound equipment for the course. She felt it was vitally important for students to have the chance to become familiar with the best equipment in the business, and also to be able exercise their lighting skills on gear with which they will come into contact with in their future careers.

 One of the companies Jan approached was Avolites who sold the college a Rolacue Pearl console complete with graphics tablet. Avo also offered plenty of support as well as their usual free training to Jan and other lecturers and technicians.

The latest end of term concert featured 10 bands from a diverse selection of musical genres. Not all of them were students, but each band was required to have at least one member who was also a course member
.

 All lighting design was devised and operated by students using four Martin MAC 600s loaned by local lighting rental company Fineline, organised by Ian Brown of Martin Professional; four Martin RoboScan P518s on loan from Avolites, plus PAR 64s, fresnels and cyc lights. The house dimmers are Zero 88 Betapacks and the sound system was provided courtesy of Wales-based 24:7 Productions.

The show proved an ideal opportunity for the students to get hands on experience of the skills they had been learning throughout the term. The plotting sessions took place over a three day period. Each show was played back with students getting to grips with the great ‘buskability’ of the Pearl.

Jan applauds the generous support given to the course by companies such as Avolites, Martin and Fineline, “They’re all brilliant” she comments “It’s excellent for the students to be able to extend their lighting knowledge with the help and support of these pro companies”.

 The gig was the best such event to date! It also made a profit on the door, which will go towards buying new microphones to replace the ones stolen earlier in the year from the recording studio at the college.

Date of issue : December 1999.

For more information on Avolites, Please contact Steve Warren on 020 8965 8522 or Louise Stickland on 01865 202 679/0831 329888/louise@loosplat.com