Student at Strode College in Street records at legendary BBC studios

Harrison Pickard, who is currently studying Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production at Strode College in Street, recently had the opportunity to visit and record in the legendary Maida Vale studios as work experience.

The world-famous studios, built in 1909, have been at the centre of BBC Music since 1934 and hosted thousands of performances ranging from the Beatles to Beyoncé to Girls Aloud, in addition to hosting the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Maida Vale was also the site of Bing Crosby's last recording session and has hosted tens of thousands of live music events for BBC radio stations, ranging from John Peel London Sessions, to Radio 1's Live Lounge recordings.

It was also the home of the experimental BBC Radiophonic Workshop, where Delia Derbyshire recorded the Doctor Who theme tune.

Harrison had the chance to engineer for a band called Ember and he also played acoustic guitar on some of the tracks.

They were testing a new version of Pro Tools that had been installed at the studio.

The producer that he worked with in these sessions also does live sound mixing for many of the headline acts at Glastonbury Festival.

The sessions were a success and Harrison enjoyed seeing how things operate in the world famous studio.

He said: "The production unit on my course prepared me well for this experience of a lifetime.

"My course also helped me to develop team work skills and how to set things up."

Following this great opportunity, Harrison has now been offered more work experience at Maida Vale Studios at the conclusion of his music course at Strode College.

He hopes to be able to do occasional sessions with them while pursuing a course of study at a music college in London.

Daniel Shaw, course manager for Music Performance and Production at Strode College, said: "What an experience to work in the very studio where Hendrix recorded his legendary London sessions for John Peel.

"The experience of spending time in a national monument to British culture like Maida Vale must have been overwhelming and we are very proud of Harrison for taking up this opportunity and more than a little jealous."