Great Barford teacher launches art competition to celebrate positive side of lockdown life

A kind-hearted Great Barford teacher has launched a competition so her students can celebrate the beauty of music, creativity and community during lockdown.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2020, 15:14 BST
Updated 9th May 2020, 15:24 BST

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Professional musician Caroline Owen is inviting budding players to submit a piece of art to have the chance of winning online music lessons with The Strings Academy.

Since the lockdown began, Caroline has moved her academy online, but is determined to reach out and make music.

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Caroline, 39, said: “I set this up for budding musicians to design an artwork that represents the positive impact of lockdown; families spending time together, the improvement of the environment and, of course, spending more time practising their instruments!

“I think music is so reliable to have in your life -it’s always there for you. People from all corners of the world can come together to make music; it’s an international language.”

Meanwhile, in a strange twist of fate, Caroline’s band, Urban Strings, has released their track ‘Lockdown’ which they recorded back in 2008.

Caroline said: “It was written 12 years ago and little did we know it would be so poignant. It was along the lines of people feeling emotionally in lockdown and the lyrics are uplifting and encourage people to stay strong. It’s inspired my students; they didn’t know the violin could be so versatile, - Urban Strings play hip hop music.”

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Indeed, Caroline knows all about the dynamic road that the violin can lead you down, as she has toured with Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, which returns next year.

Clockwise from top left: The Strings Academy; Amelia’s entry; Caroline at the WoTW, Newcastle Arena; Caroline’s son Omar taking part in The Strings Academy’s playing-for-the-NHS-clap challenge.Clockwise from top left: The Strings Academy; Amelia’s entry; Caroline at the WoTW, Newcastle Arena; Caroline’s son Omar taking part in The Strings Academy’s playing-for-the-NHS-clap challenge.
Clockwise from top left: The Strings Academy; Amelia’s entry; Caroline at the WoTW, Newcastle Arena; Caroline’s son Omar taking part in The Strings Academy’s playing-for-the-NHS-clap challenge.

She is also making a name for herself in the community, where she is affectionately known as ‘the violin woman’ and is looking for people of any age and ability to join the ‘Sandy People’s Orchestra’ launching in September.

>To win a free course of five 20 minute one-to-one online music lessons ( violin or piano) worth £100, watch the Lockdown video and answer ‘What are the last two words in the video?’ and/or design your artwork.

The winner will be announced on Instagram and Facebook.

Email your art to [email protected] by midday, May 15.

www.carolineviolinist.com

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Track: https://carolineowen.bandcamp.com/releases. Twenty per cent of all sales go to the NHS.

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