The Charlie Jones Scholarship Scheme, which was launched at the end of 2006, isin memory of Wigwam engineer Charlie Jones who died earlier this year. Charlieplayed an important part in the growth and development of Wigwam over the pasttwenty years and was widely regarded as one of the industry's best live soundengineers, as well as a teacher and mentor to many young, up-and-comingengineers. Charlie not only recognised the importance of education in theindustry, but also enjoyed investing his own time to inspire and develop traineeengineers.
The Charlie Jones Scholarship is linked to SSR's Audio Engineering Course and isintended for young people who would otherwise not be able to afford this type oftraining. Helen Jones (Charlie's sister) is funding a place at SSR, while thecollege and Wigwam are funding two more places and working together to developreal-world live sound training through which students will benefit from directcontributions from the most respected organisations working in the UK industrytoday. The new live sound module will be integrated in to the Audio EngineeringTechniques and Technology course from March 2007.
As part of the scheme, SSR and Wigwam are equipping a 2000sq.ft live roomwithin the SSR complex for reality training. VDC Trading is supplying all of thenecessary cable for the installation. The room will incorporate a db loudspeakersystem with a Digidesign console. Wigwam is installing 48 ways of activesplitter to feed FOH/monitors and also 48 ways of mic split into two of SSR'snine existing studios for recording purposes. There will be 16 tielines andeight AES lines between the live room and the studios, plus Cat 6 and digitalcoax lines throughout the school. VDC is also supplying mic cables, jacks andspeaker cables for the main PA, the Martin monitor system and the L Acousticsdelay speakers.
Niall Holden, managing director of VDC Trading, says: "This is a very worthwhileinitiative and one we are delighted to support. The live sound industry needsproperly trained engineers who understand the technological developments thathave been taking place in recent years. This course, with its emphasis onpractical training by experts, will go a long way towards addressing thoseneeds."
Chris Hill, Wigwam's director, adds: "Wigwam has already secured theparticipation of some of the industry's major manufacturers and individuals toprovide demonstrations, lectures and training on the latest products andtechniques used within the live sound industry. We feel confident that thetraining these young people will receive will benefit the entire industry."
(Chris Henry)
