What is a typical day on your course like?
Hectic! A typical day involves getting up, meeting friends and heading into campus for a lecture and/or seminar. Between classes I try to be productive and either go to the practice block to do as much violin practice as possible or perhaps go to the library to do some reading. My day usually includes an organised practical activity, too - either going into the city for a violin lesson at the Conservatoire, having an orchestra rehearsal in the Elgar Concert Hall, or trying to fit a quartet rehearsal with my friends into our busy schedules. After a full day on campus, I usually come home, cook dinner (or rather 'attempt' to cook dinner...) and relax with my housemates.
What are you involved in outside of your studies?
I try to be a really active member of the Music Society and get involved in as many orchestras and activities as possible. I rehearse with the UoB Philharmonic Orchestra every Monday and Wednesday in the Elgar Concert Hall. I've also formed a string quartet (Briga String Quartet) with some friends (2 Music students, 2 Engineering students) and we play a variety of music and enjoy rehearsing together every week! We've also had quite a few paid gigs and are looking forward at taking part in some chamber music concerts throughout the year. Somehow I’ve also found time to join two outside orchestras - the British Police Symphony Orchestra and the CBSO Youth Orchestra – and done some great concerts with them. Apart from Music, I also try to keep as fit as I can! I really enjoy racket sports and try to go as often as I can to play table-tennis and badminton at the UoB Sports Centre. As well as all this, I'm a Music student ambassador and love working on the open days to showcase our fantastic Music department!
How have you found living in Birmingham? What do you like about Birmingham as a city?
Coming from a small village in North Wales, I was a bit nervous about living in such a big city to start with; however, I've settled down really happily with a great group of friends and feel very comfortable about living in the city. I really like the fact that the university is campus based, and in a quiet suburb of the city. After a year in university accommodation on the Vale Village, it's great to live more independently now in Selly Oak, renting a house with a group of friends. It's less than 10 minutes’ walk to the university campus, and if you want to go right into the city centre from the campus, it's only a 5-minute train journey - we've got our very own train station! There are many things that I like about the city itself and its vibrant feel - great facilities, plenty of music going on and of course amazing shops and shopping centre!
What Music venues do you visit in Birmingham?
Apart from our Bramall Music Building (with the new Elgar Concert Hall) and Barber Institute just round the corner, the Symphony Hall in the city centre is definitely my favourite venue - I enjoy going to concerts there as often as I can, and have seen some phenomenal performers, like Nicola Benedetti and The Piano Guys. The CBSO is a superb orchestra, and it's such good value for £5 student tickets!
Would you recommend Birmingham to prospective students?
Absolutely! If you want to come to a place with a well-established Music department (going all the way back to Elgar), if you want a challenging academic course with a wide variety of modules, taught by some of the best teachers, if you want to live near Britain's 2nd largest city with all its facilities, but not quite in it - then Birmingham's the place for you!
Why did you choose your degree programme? What interests you about the subject?
Ever since I had my first violin lesson on my 8th birthday, I've loved music and never looked back! I probably enjoy the performance aspect of music the most, but I wanted to study music as an academic university subject, so that I'd have the widest possible career chances in the future, whether it’s teaching, performing or working in arts administration.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Birmingham?
Of all the universities that I visited, the applicant visit day in the Birmingham Music department was by far the best (despite the awful weather in February!). It was well organized, everyone was lovely and friendly, and the talks were very informative, both for me and my parents. The University is large, of course, but it has a homely and friendly feel to it as well as an exciting city vibe!
What have you enjoyed about your time here so far?
Absolutely everything! I've had the best first year that I could have wished for, and am now enjoying the start to the second year even more, if that’s possible. I'm really enjoying the course so far, and the chance to take part in many orchestras, ensembles and events in the Music Society. I've made a lovely bunch of friends here and feel very much at home in the Music Department - the community feel within music is great, I know it's a cliche, but it's true that we're just like one big happy family!
Do you have a favourite module? If so, why?
Performance is what I probably enjoy doing the most (2nd year performance module with an end-of-year recital), but in terms of a module that has regular classes taught every week, conducting is my favourite at the moment. Taught by our inspiring conductor Dan Rosina, I'm getting the chance to learn something completely new that I've never done before - slightly scary, but very exciting and enjoyable so far.