Friday the 15th of September marked a very important date in Resonance’s academic calendar: our very first graduation ceremony! Held just around the corner from Resonance at the Copthorne Hotel, it was an evening for the students to come together and celebrate all the hard work they’ve put in over these past three years. Family and friends were there to support in number, alongside members of Resonance’s Board of Trustees and guests including Counsellor Patrick Harley, leader of DMBC, and Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South.
The evening opened with graduates having their photographs taken by AP Photography. Replete with gowns and mortarboards, it gave them the chance to stand alongside their friends and family to proudly capture the memory. Guests were then seated for a 3-course meal, courtesy of the Copthorne’s catering, before things moved on to the official graduation ceremony awards. Proceedings began with a rousing speech from David Barnard, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and following a few words from our Principal and CEO Rick Benton, the graduates received their certificates. By Rick’s request, everyone in attendance made sure to demonstrate how we at Resonance enjoy pushing the decibels, and the applause as each graduate graced the stage showed a heartening camaraderie. The venue’s elegant decor added a touch of vintage glamour to the occasion, making the moment our graduates stood together for one last group photo that bit more special.
Throughout the night it was clear how much excitement was in the air, for different reasons depending on whom you asked. The graduates were excited to finally receive their degrees and start the next chapter of their lives, while staff and partners were thrilled to reach this first milestone in Resonance’s history. There have been challenges we never could have imagined since opening our doors in 2020, with some fairly left-of-field global events affecting everyone’s daily routines. Despite this, our graduates have proven how capable and diligent they can be, and we hope they recognise what they’ve achieved. Our class of 2023 will always be Resonance’s first class to graduate, and we wish you every success in your careers moving forward. The world is a better place when there’s music!
Sam-James Gordon
Photo taken and edited by Aaron Page Photography
