We were delighted to hear that Lower Sixth Former Tom Arnold was awarded ‘Music Director of the Year’ by the National Operatic and Drama Association (NODA) on Sunday 16 September.
NODA is the national body representing amateur theatre groups and individual enthusiasts who stage musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of venues across the UK.
Tom was chosen from hundreds of Music Directors, spanning a broad spectrum of ages, who all directed the music for various productions over the course of the year.
Tom obviously made a big impact when he directed the music for the pantomime Cinderella, performed on a make-shift stage in a Monarch aircraft hangar, and for Annie, which was performed at the Luton Library Theatre. With little experience under his belt, and just these two productions on his repertoire, Tom was astounded to win the award.
Tom, who joined Bedford School at the start of the Sixth Form, also plays piano and trombone, and plays in ensembles both in and out of school. Tom is studying Music, Music Tech, RE and Drama at A-Level.