Two weeks into the term and I am already feeling the mental and physical strain typical of a student lifestyle that’s unbalanced by too much work and too much play(ing the flute). However, I’m thriving in this environment, and I know it will only get more intense. But, how often does one get the opportunity to be a student twice in a lifetime? And on top of that, to do it in the city that could probably compete for title of ‘best student town in the world’?
The Royal Northern College of Music has made us feel very welcome. They have offered to us almost any course we’d like to attend and observe, and almost any instrumental tutor we’d like to study with over the next two and a half months. It’s a very generous offer, we’re mostly overwhelmed by the choices we have, and frustrated by the many clashes of classes. The courses I’ve settled for are Performance and Repertoire studies, Jazz History, Pedagogy, Dalcroze, Feldenkrais, Improvisation for Beginners, Advanced Improvisation, Musicianship, and Professional Skills. I’m also involved in the Jazz Collective, Big Band, and the Gospel Choir. Those that know me will be choking on their tongues in disbelief right now, because I cannot sing to save my life. I thought I would give it a try since my very out-of-tune singing will be covered up by at least ten other better voices - and thankfully there wasn’t an audition.
The hardest work I’ve done so far has been on my flute playing (and it will probably continue this way). It is completely normal for people to be practicing three to four hours a day here, and after my first flute lesson I quickly adopted that regimen, too. I wouldn’t be able to get through the required amount of weekly technical exercises, studies and pieces any other way. Suddenly, spurred on by my desperation to practice, my ability to find those extra hours to work has improved greatly. And believe me, at a college where 700 musicians are all trying to do the same thing, it becomes quite a skill. The entire system for getting a room to practice in has been computerised and needs planning almost three days in advance. The alternative is to camp out in front of an “open practice room”, and as soon as the previous occupant steps out you dash in as quickly as possible to claim the room for the next hour. Stressful!
This coming Friday we go on our first of three Scotland trips where we will be studying jazz pedagogy, playing and improvising with jazz educator Richard Michael. But first, a good amount of sleep (and practice room booking) is needed to prepare me for what is to come.
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