The Guitar Race event has been a tradition for guitar students studying on Newark College's Guitar Making and Repair courses for around 15 years.
This year, we are excited to introduce a completely new approach. Our theme for Guitar Race 2024 is "Collaboration" which we believe captures the essence of this year's event. We look forward to an engaging and inspiring experience for all participants!
This year, Glasgow Clyde College's School of Guitar Making has been invited to participate alongside our students.
Two mixed teams, consisting of around 24 students, will collaborate to complete a "Flamenco guitar" and a "steel-string guitar" under the supervision of five tutors from both schools. These tutors are tasked with enhancing and sharing their expertise with students from both institutions.
Prior to the race starting, students from both schools contributed to a realistic work plan, overcoming the challenges of distance and communication barriers imposed by the significant physical separation between the two schools.
On Tuesday 3rd December, Newark College welcomed our Scottish colleagues, who joined their respective teams in a very positive atmosphere.
Isaac Kahir, a tutor from Glasgow Clyde, said: "I'm extremely excited to be part of this first-of-its-kind event between two of the UK's longest running lutherie schools.
"As a former student of both Anniesland and Newark College, it's a great privilege to see the two colleges collaborate on what I'm sure will be an unforgettable week of guitar-making madness!"
Ian Dickinson is an educator from the same school. He added: "I fully embrace collaboration and the opportunity for students of both schools to build friendships and connections that they will take forward into their careers in Lutherie."
The Guitar department at the School of Musical Instrument Crafts are excited to promote these activities and ensure their continuation. This race will provide great experiences for learners, fostering leadership, communication skills, collaboration, and lots of fun.
Ask Eide, who teaches on the Guitar Making and Repair at Newark College since 2022, said: "The race is an opportunity for our students to work in a team, work with tight deadlines and on a different kind of instrument. It is also a way to have some fun with guitar making, and this year, it's also very social with the Scottish visitors!"
The guitar race will finish on Friday 6th December, and the two guitars should be fully playable by the end of the day.
Learn more about our BA (Hons) Musical Instrument Crafts (Guitar Making and Repair) degree course.
