This week term officially started at the RNCM. There is an enormous amount on offer for us ABRSM scholars to get involved in, observe and absorb. It is quite a conundrum trying to figure out what happens when and where and with whom. Hopefully by the start of next week all will be clear and we will start to settle into some sort of routine.
Monday also saw the start to a new online booking system for practice rooms. It is a very cleverly worked out system, but also does not come without its teething troubles which, no doubt, will be attended to soon.
We attended our first lecture on Monday morning which, rather appropriately as jazz is our focus, was entitled “Jazz; the be-bop revolution”. Eileen Guppy took us through a brief history of jazz, with several listening examples. The subject matter was all very similar to what we cover in our matric syllabus so felt very familiar to me.
On Monday evening I attended a saxophone class and found myself playing in a "saxophone orchestra" with 17 other saxophones. The next day we performed Gregory’s "Hoe Down" for the RNCM Open Day concert. I have never been part of a group like this before, so it was a wonderful experience for me.
Outside of the College, Ilke and I travelled to the Peak District on Saturday and did the most beautiful walk – nature’s therapy!
A group of us also attended the Halle Orchestra concert on Thursday evening. What a treat this was. Between the RNCM and Manchester’s other concert venues we will certainly be learning lessons in making choices as there is so much on offer it is just not possible to attend everything.
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