Former Woodham Academy student, Oliver Gibson (18) has gained entry into one of the country’s most prestigious performing arts establishments, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Founded by music legend, Sir Paul McCartney, along with his associate, Sir Mark Featherstone-Witty, this former boy’s institute once attended by three young lads, who later became known as The Beatles, was saved from dilapidation in the early 90’s. After several years of re-development, it was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II. The institution has gone from strength to strength training and developing young talent in readiness for a professional career; some of which are now award winning or highly regarded. Whilst attending Woodham, only a few years ago, Oliver quickly found a passion for playing bass guitar and went onto to study music at Bishop Auckland College. He then began to cut his teeth as a performer at a monthly Blues Open Mic Night at the Steam Machine Brewery, hosted by Gary Grainger. Within a year, Oliver began to play at other venues in and around the area. During the summer of 2024, he formed the band ‘Casbah’, launching at Aycliffe Food Festival to a respectable crowd. The band’s positive drive and energy gained them a quick succession of performances; they even had a little walk-on at Ayclive Music Festival, where Oliver introduced his band to a great cheer. Unfortunately, as bands do, they hit a stumbling block and parted ways, but Oliver remained undeterred and, in the autumn of 2024, he tentatively decided to apply to study at the ‘Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts’. After submitting demo recordings, he was invited to an audition. Two months later, he received a conditional offer of study on a course close to Paul McCartney’s heart, BA Hons in Songwriting & Performance. Unfortunately, Oliver received a blow of bad luck and didn’t meet the offer conditions on results day. Thinking it was all over, in a shock turn-around and as a complete one-off, he was accepted onto the course on the back of his own achievements in music, with the confidence that he could succeed. Oliver is so pleased to be now embarking in professional music training where it all began for The Beatles! We all wish him the very best of luck with this golden opportunity. Well done, son. YOU DID IT! Make us all proud. You deserve this. You really do.
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