Olympic rhythms
Wed, 23 May 2012 16:16:00 BST
University Campus Barnsley student James has been chosen to drum when the Games commence
MUSIC student James Lister (pictured) will rock the world when he drums at the opening and the closing ceremonies of the London Olympics.
Hartlepool-born James, aged 22, is studying for a degree in popular music at University Campus Barnsley. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, but drumming – especially in heavy rock – is his principal passion.
The head of UCB, Pete Birkby – a former professional musician himself – had been keeping tabs with Olympic preparations, sure that there would be potential performance opportunities for students. When contacts told him about auditions due to be held for drummers to take part in lavish ceremonies at the Olympic Stadium, he made sure that students knew, and James answered the call.
He went to London for a mass audition – and was on the train home when he received an email asking if he could return in three days’ time.
He went back and took part in a second audition, with more opportunity show off his drumming skills. He made the cut and has been invited to take part in the musical entertainment. Exactly what his role will be and what he will be asked to play will become clear as he begins to attend a series of practise sessions, starting soon. He has been measured up for a costume, but he is still in the dark over what he will be wearing.
James is excited by the prospect of playing at the Olympics. “It is all purely voluntary, but it is an amazing thing to have on the CV,” he says.
He has one more year of his popular music degree and is having a great time on the course, playing with a succession of student bands.
“I applied for five different universities, but when I came to Barnsley I just loved it and decided straight away that this is where I would come, “ he said.
He began playing guitar and saxophone while still a child, but switched to drums in his early teens. Now his main ambition after graduation is to play with a touring band.
James’s family has another Olympics connection. His cousin Andrea Hewitt – daughter of an émigré uncle – is New Zealand’s top female triathlete and will be competing in the London games.
