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Dr Simon Jones Awarded National Teaching Fellowship

8 December 2016

Filed Under:

Music
Strings

Congratulations to Dr Simon Jones who has just been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship.

This is the most prestigious individual award given annually by the Higher Education Academy for outstanding achievement in learning and teaching in higher education.

Simon is the College’s Head of String Performance.

Simon has been a professional violinist for the last thirty years, giving him a close awareness of the demands of the music industry as well as wide-ranging professional networks.

As a teacher he has created a broad range of award-winning assessment and learning and teaching initiatives.

“Simon has had a massive impact on the string department, totally changing the atmosphere to one of opportunity and ambition for students and staff:

A department where anything can happen.”

David Adams, Leader of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera

 

Kraggerud

Henning Kraggerud rehearses with the College’s string soloists in the Dora Stoutkzer Hall

A hallmark of this training is the inclusion of regular, professionally-mentored performance projects, involving inspirational directors drawn from the UK’s music profession.

International soloist Henning Kraggerud recently directed a newly-created flagship ensemble, the Royal Welsh College string soloists, made up of some of the Conservatoire’s most talented string players.

 

RWCMD string soloists relaxing with Simon Jones after the masterclass with Henning Kraggerud

RWCMD string soloists with Simon Jones after their concert with Henning Kraggerud

“These projects have a great impact on the students’ learning and professional development,” explains Simon.

“Working with professional musicians who are at the height of their careers offers students powerful and transformative experiences. It significantly raises both their expectations and the standard of their playing, as well as enabling them to master what it means to be a thinking and creative musician.”

The ensemble performed its inaugural concert in the autumn with Daniel Phillips, the College’s International Chair in Violin (supported by the Jane Hodge Foundation) and earlier in the year performed as part of the celebration for the College hosted by its Patron HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.