Antony Kearns, director of the music publishers Stainer & Bell, woke up one morning in January 2015, paralysed down one side of his face. He was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes temporary weakness of the facial muscles. His first concern: could he still play the trumpet?

antony kearns

 

Early attempts were total failures. Over the past three months Antony has charted his progress on video.

He writes: ‘Worried I wouldn’t be able to play the trumpet again, and unable to find any trumpeter-specific stories among all the great ‘recovery diaries’ on YouTube, I set out to make the kind of video I would have found helpful when I was diagnosed. I’m publishing this as encouragement to fellow brass or woodwind players currently suffering with Bell’s Palsy and to show that it is possible to play again.’

He launched the video on Youtube today. Watch a brave, stubborn man get his sound back.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were spotted at the Metropolitan Opera last night, seated not far behind the conductor’s left shoulder. They appeared to enjoy Manon. Blurry photo taken from the orchestra pit.

clintons met

h/t: Rob Knopper

Now the business has subsided and anyone can make a digital record in their garden shed, what’s to be done with the iconic studio?

Turn it into an educational institute and invent some international spinoffs.

abbeyrdsocks

Press release:

 

The world famous Abbey Road Studios has announced its first foray into education with the launch of Abbey Road Institute.

This international initiative will offer a 12-month Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering aimed at students aged 18 and over in locations around the world including the UK, Germany and Australia. The course is full time and taught over 48 weeks.

The curriculum, developed by audio educational specialists in conjunction with Abbey Road Studios engineers, offers a unique mix of theoretical and practical modules designed to equip students for their first step toward a professional audio engineering and production career.

The course also covers other areas of the music industry, including studio management and music business administration. The course will be taught by qualified lecturers and recognised music industry experts including producers and label execs alongside guest lectures from Abbey Road Studios engineers.

Peter Cobbin, Senior Director of Engineering at Abbey Road Studios, said of the initiative:

‘Abbey Road Institute benefits from the studios’ 80 years of audio expertise, distilling some of our knowledge into a curriculum of classroom learning and practical studio experience. I’m delighted that the Institute will nurture and inspire a new generation of audio professionals.”