Film competition


Mike WatkinsonBedford College people are talented, skilled, creative... well we would say that wouldn’t we?

But to prove a point we have selected one of our 700+ staff as the focus of this special article - Mike Watkinson. 

Not only a professional composer and software trainer, he is a published writer in the field of technology-supported music, and in recognition of his body of work, has been selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator, a rare honour bestowed upon few by the computer giant which dominates the modern music industry.


By day Mike has been for nine years, one of the Music Technology team at Bedford College who help young men and women achieve their dreams of becoming musicians - be it in a band which makes money by having tracks downloaded from the internet or by composing music for others to perform, or by being a 21st Century style DJ. Computer skills are essential.

Bedford College is an Apple Authorised Training Centre, this is vital as Apple is THE technology in ‘the business’. Access to this level of professional training is important for those hoping for a career in the music business, to those already running small studios who want to update their skills, to others who want to go on to gain a degree in this field.

“There are a lot of people out there running basically small studios who need to keep up to date with new technology, or young bands wanting to be able to ‘record’ tracks and make money via the internet. It is possible to make £40,000 a year if a musician completes his skill set,” explains Mike, who was a guitar player ‘by trade’ and did what he calls ‘low level’ session playing in the 90s - but adding twins to his family of two has taken up much of his guitar-playing time for now.

However as an Apple Distinguished Educator Mike does find the time to spread the word about the the latest developments in technology.

This special connection with Apple has given him access to the latest teaching aid:  iLife, a creative suite of applications which Mike was asked to demonstrate to teachers in London to show them how iLife could support the curriculum, in and outside of music.

In this role he is hoping to see a special training programme come to life in 2010 where local children are encouraged to become filmmakers using some of the same creative skill sets they would use to become professionals in the music business.

Mike’s musical score:

Mike has a column on Sound on Sound called Apple Notes - and writes occasional specialist articles on music technology for other major publications.

He and former Bedford College colleague John Verity wrote the text book for the BTEC National Diploma in Music and Music Technology.

Mike laid the ground work for a Foundation Degree in the same subject which will require students to complete two years at Bedford College before a third and final year at the University of Bedfordshire, or other universities.