Star Opens School For Performing Arts (1996)

 

Star Opens School For Performing Arts

By Sarah Kreykes

North County Times

January 31, 1996

    Paul McCartney took his first steps towards fame in cramped and dingy Liverpool clubs. Now, the former Beatle is a major benefactor of a spacious and shiny school for others who have stars in their eyes.

     McCartney returned to his hometown Tuesday to officially open a $23 million performing arts college he helped found at his old high school. 

    The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts will train young people from all over the world, awarding degrees in music, drama, dance, design, and management, the only British college to embrace all aspects of the Performing Arts. 

    The first 200 students began classes earlier this month.

     Looking around the former Liverpool Institute, which was once one of the city's leading boys' schools. An emotional McCartney said, "Attending classes there gave me the idea that you can succeed... conquer the world."

     In creating a college that offers business with ballet, lighting skills, and law, "we hope we have created something different that will produce well-rounded artists," McCartney told the students and 500 guests.

     McCartney, who has given more than $1.5 million to help turn the institute's imposing Gregorian stone buildings into a modern college equipped with the latest sound, lighting, and recording equipment, told reporters he will teach songwriting there. "I will be able to give them one or two little tricks of the trade. The rest is up to them", said McCartney, who has made millions from his songs, but confesses he cannot read music and finds the songwriting process a mystery.