The first ever recipients of the Bath Spa University Cullum Family Award, created after a generous donation by the Cullum family, have been announced.
Commercial Music students Bruce Galliver and Nicola Haynes, and Creative Music Technology student Luke Galloway, have each been awarded grants for their respective projects.
The Bath Spa University Cullum Family Award aims to support students and new graduates by helping them explore and better understand the music industry and the various career pathways available to them. Grants of between £250 and £1,000 were available to apply for.
Commercial Music student Bruce Galliver has named his project ‘The Human Jukebox’. As the name suggests, Bruce aims to create an entertaining and interactive human-sized jukebox structure capable of housing up to three musicians and their instruments for various performance contexts.
Nicola Haynes, who is also a Commercial Music student, has been awarded a grant to help her grow her student-led business ‘Crafting Melodies’. This Bath-based vintage crafts company uses recycled sheet music to create home decor goods, seasonal pieces and gift items.
Luke Galloway, a Creative Music Technology student was awarded a grant for his proposed musical installation consisting of 11 platforms. Each platform will contain a musical loop that is activated when stood on. When played together, the loops will complement each other and build a song.
The Cullum family which includes jazz-pop singer and songwriter Jamie Cullum and his older brother, producer and songwriter Ben, chose to support Bath Spa mainly because parents John and Yvonne, who sings with the CitySound Choir, have been particularly impressed with the quality of student performances they have attended and by the strategic vision the University has in promoting music and the performing arts.
Commenting on the standard of applications received, John Cullum said: “I am pleased with the range and diversity of grant applications received for these inaugural awards and delighted that we have chosen to support three creative projects that will help develop the future employability of these students.”
Head of Department of Music, Charles Wiffen was a member of the assessment panel reviewing applications. He added: “The entries were of a high standard and included a number of concepts that were interesting, genuinely original and quirky. Students and graduates were aware of the artistic and commercial potential of their ideas and it’s very encouraging to see this level of creativity coming from our Department of Music.”
The Cullum Family Award is available to current students or new graduates of the Department of Music. Applicants must be either a current undergraduate third year music student, a current student on a Masters’ course in music or a new graduate (within one year) from any music course at Bath Spa University.
Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that provide opportunities for them to develop their enterprise and employability skills by working in the music industry.
