New recording studio at Thurston Sixth, near Bury St Edmunds, made possible thanks to Rick Keeling Memorial Trust
A sixth form campus has the 'tremendous' addition of a new recording studio, thanks to a donation from a trust set up in memory of a teacher.
The Rick Keeling Recording Studio was officially opened last week at Thurston Sixth, the sixth form campus of Thurston Community College, near Bury St Edmunds.
The project was funded by a £3,000 donation from the Rick Keeling Memorial Trust, which was established in 1989 following the untimely death of Rick Keeling, the then head of science at Thurston Upper School.
Paul Potter, vice principal and head of sixth form at the college, said: "The Rick Keeling Recording Studio was an idea initially proposed by two of our sixth form students, Declan and Oscar.
"They came up with a design and a technical proposal that would radically change the way in which they could create their music for their sixth form music course.
"The Rick Keeling Fund kindly offered to fund the whole project and have worked with the school and the students to build this wonderful new facility.
"Rick Keeling was a science teacher and musician who worked at Thurston over 30 years ago. His friends still raise money for the fund to support students and educational projects at Thurston Community College."
The Rick Keeling Memorial Trust funded the entire project, enabling students and staff to dream a little bigger.
The studio sits within two re-purposed practice rooms at the sixth form campus in Beyton, near Thurston.
Last week, there was an official opening which was attended by trustees from the charity. Students gave a live demonstration of the studio followed by speeches.
Richard Fawcett, chair of the Rick Keeling Memorial Trust, said: “The recording studio is a fantastic addition to the performing arts faculty at Thurston Sixth and is already providing students with opportunities to make music recordings of a very high standard.
"The trust is delighted to be able to support such a tremendous addition to the facilities of Thurston Community College."
