Newbury College Students Revive Classic Christmas Hit with Style

Music Technology and Media students at Newbury College have released a vibrant cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ iconic 1985 Christmas hit, “Merry Christmas Everyone.” This project aims to introduce the classic track to a new generation while showcasing the college’s commitment to hands-on, industry-focused education.

Originally written by Bob Heatlie and produced by Dave Edmunds, the original version of “Merry Christmas Everyone” reached the top of the UK charts as the Christmas number one in 1985. The festive classic has remained a beloved seasonal staple over the years. The new cover has been recorded and produced by Newbury College’s Music Technology students and is available for streaming on the college’s SoundCloud channel. A festive music video has also been released on YouTube.

A Collaborative Learning Experience

The project highlights the collaborative spirit within Newbury College’s creative arts and digital media programmes. It features contributions from various students, including Iman Wallace on vocals, Elliott Taylor on keys, and Nthando Gwavava on drums. Other students engaged in the technical aspects of mixing and production, ensuring a well-rounded creative process.

Both Lee Probert, Principal of Newbury College, and Deputy Principal Lee Jamieson also made cameo performances in the recording, turning the boardroom into a makeshift studio to support their students. Their involvement underscores the college’s “Super 7” teaching approach, which focuses on seven core principles designed to prepare students as confident, independent learners ready for their careers.

The project equips students with essential professional skills in the music industry, whether they choose to pursue employment or further education. Rather than relying solely on classroom instruction, students engage in real-world projects that mimic industry practices. They participate in planning sessions, rehearsal arrangements, live performance setups, and the complete audio production process, including editing and mastering before releasing the track on public platforms.

Emphasizing Real-World Skills

According to Matt Foster, course leader for music technology, the original Shakin’ Stevens song evokes strong nostalgic feelings. “Merry Christmas Everyone is one of those songs that instantly takes you back. The original version is a perfect slice of 1980s festive pop and it defined Christmas for a whole generation long before our current students were born,” he stated.

Foster expressed pride in witnessing students analyze the original arrangement and craft their interpretation. “They have kept the warmth, fun, and sing-along feel that people love but made production and performance choices that feel current and true to them,” he added. His hope is that Shakin’ Stevens himself would appreciate the respect and joy infused into their version.

The audio project also provided an authentic brief for students enrolled in the T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production. These students collaborated closely with the Music Technology cohort to create the accompanying music video, planning and capturing performances while managing editing and post-production for a polished final product.

This cross-disciplinary collaboration exemplifies Newbury College’s “Careers, not courses” philosophy, helping students understand the interconnectedness of various creative fields and the importance of teamwork in the creative arts and media industries.

Newbury College’s Music Technology and Media programmes play a crucial role in developing the technical skills, confidence, and professional behaviour necessary for students to thrive in the competitive creative industries, both locally and internationally. For more information about the college’s innovative approach to education and its emphasis on real-world projects, visit newbury-college.ac.uk/careersnotcourses.