AN Anfield teenager is celebrating after being awarded a full scholarship to attend one of the UK’s top music schools.
Charlotte Meredith, 18, who attends North Liverpool Academy, will have her tuition fees paid for her full course when she starts her three-year music performance degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in September. Although already accepted to study at the conservatoire, Charlotte had to do a further audition before a panel to secure the funding.
Charlotte’s musical journey started at Anfield Road Primary School when she started playing the ukulele in Year 5 with her classmates. Her potential was spotted and she then began to attend Resonate , Liverpool’s Music Education Hub, based at Notre Dame Catholic College, which then enabled her to choose her next instrument – the double bass. She now also plays the bass guitar.
Resonate has also supported Charlotte to study for her music GCSE and A level in the evenings and she is part of the first cohort of young people to study the A level through Resonate. The hub also supported her university applications.
Although Charlotte hasn’t even started her degree yet, she already has plans to return to Liverpool to study for a PGCE when she has completed it.
Resonate, formerly the Liverpool Music Support Service, is an Arts Council-funded service that works with 16,000 children and young people a year in most schools across Liverpool.
Reaction
Jonathan Dickson, head of service at Resonate, said: “We just couldn’t believe it when Charlotte told us she had been awarded a full scholarship. We are very proud of her massive success that shows that barriers can be broken down.
“I remember seeing Charlotte play very early on when she was at primary school and I thought ‘that kid’s really got it.’ Her success represents the work Resonate does in the city; how we are engaging with children and young people and giving them a life-long love of music.
“Over the last 12 years we have seen music education develop and expand despite the wider challenges and financial pressures that we have faced. Liverpool has a real story to tell in how it is thriving.”
Cllr Barbara Murray, cabinet member for education, said: “Charlotte’s success in such a competitive area is a well-deserved reward for her hard work and commitment.
“As Resonate is proving, giving children and young people the opportunity to take part in activities such as music is vitally important. For some, like Charlotte, it will put them on to a brilliant career path, for others it will give them an experience that will enrich their lives.
“On behalf of the city, I wish Charlotte every success in the future.”
Said Charlotte: “When I chose to play the double bass my mum said, ‘let’s think about this, what about the violin?!’, but I said that’s what I want to play! It was just the sound of it that made me want to play it.
“I wanted to go to Birmingham as there are a lot more opportunities at the conservatoire, there is more emphasis on the musical aspect. I got a feeling there that I didn’t get when I visited other universities.
“When I have my degree I want to come back to Liverpool and do a PGCE. I already volunteer at Resonate and at the primary school where my mum works so I already know how great it is to be able to see children progress and it’s lovely to get that feeling. “Resonate has done so much for me, they have made a real impression and they see people as musicians.”
