On the morning of Wednesday 20 March 2024, a group of Year 10 Music Technology pupils from Deer Park travelled to Stroud Subscription Rooms, aka The Sub Rooms. This excursion promised not just a glimpse into the world of live events, but also hands-on experiences in lighting and sound technology, all wrapped in the rich tapestry of the venue's history.

Upon our arrival at The Subscription Rooms, built in the 1830s, we were treated to a warm welcome from fundraiser Nadja Singh. We were taken to the main bar (closed to the public during our visit) and pupils were shown an engaging video, showcasing the diverse array of events hosted at The Subscription Rooms. From big name music artists such as The Waterboys, KT Tunstall, Squeeze and The Shire, to community youth projects such as the band and songwriting project Bandit, to thought-provoking art installations, the video provided a tantalising glimpse into the venue's vibrant calendar of events. The Director of the Subscription Rooms introduced himself to the pupils and outlined the journey that he and his team have been on since he took over running the venue.

Stepping into the impressive Ballroom that functions as the main concert area, pupils were greeted with interactive sessions and demonstrations in lighting and sound technology. Expert technicians guided the pupils through the intricacies of audio mixing, stage lighting, and equipment setup, giving them a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes technology needed to bring performances to life.

To encourage pupils' interaction with the technicians and other members of staff, Mr Cook provided pupils with a questionnaire to complete and they were challenged to find out as many answers as they could. After the interactive lighting and sound sessions, the visitors were treated to a delightful surprise: complementary and delicious home-baked brownies and refreshing soft drinks.

Having re-fuelled, pupils were taken on a backstage tour and were able to see parts of The Sub Rooms normally only seen by staff and performing artists. As the day unfolded, pupils also delved into the rich history of The Subscription Rooms, tracing the origins and evolution through the annals of time, from humble beginnings as a hub for social gatherings to its current status as a cultural landmark of the arts in the local community.

One of the highlights of the trip was undoubtedly the opportunity to hear from Hugh Phillimore, director of The Subscription Rooms, whose first-hand accounts of working in the music business offered invaluable insights into the industry.

In conclusion, the Music Technology pupils' trip to The Subscription Rooms was a resounding success - our young people had a very positive experience and real-world exposure of how a local venue operates and they learnt about some of the complexities involved in putting on live music.

We heartily recommend supporting independent music venues - why not check The Sub Rooms' upcoming events to see if there's something of interest or pop in to their booking office or cafe (Central Bar & Kitchen) if you are in Stroud.

'This is the second opportunity I have had to take pupils to The Subscription Rooms in Stroud. I would like to thank Nadja Singh for organising the technicians who ran the workshops in sound and lighting. It was great to see how engaged our pupils were, with hands-on experience of using the venue's professional equipment. Deer Park pupils were a credit to the school and I look forward to offering this trip again to future Music Technology students.'

Dan Cook, Music Teacher