Today I went back to the UoA School of Music for the first time in over a year!
The campus looks the same same, it really is a nice place to just hang around. Couldn’t help but crave a hot chocolate when I was here, it was just a beautiful day to sit on the grass and joggle some notes down.
The School of Music has changed a bit though in terms of infrastructure, both academically and physically.
The Music and Dance Library has completely been stripped in order to facilitate Early Keyboards.
As much as I love and value the practice of “Early Music”, I can’t help but feel sad about the loss of having such a resourceful library at our disposal.
WHERE DID THE COMFY BENCH GO??
My god, these poor students! Where are they supposed to take a nap after a 9am lecture?
Gone are the good old days.
That aside!
I went in today to have a talk with an old mentor of mine, to explore my options and discuss what the next step for me will be.
I’ve decided to audition for schools in the UK, that will give me great opportunities and connections, as well as prepare me for what I want to do!
I also jogged down why I want to move to the UK,
1. Diversity of culture and music. I want to see how other people perceive music, what it means to them and how they celebrate it! Things like the role they played in preserving the Estonian language. The birth of black metal in Oslo. The importance to the culture of Vienna. I want to see the way it is loved and cherished and celebrated! I want to see it loved and cherished and celebrated. I feel that in New Zealand, unfortunately at times it seems like an afterthought.
2. To be immersed in a high level of musicianship. I have been working with great musicians for sure! But I feel at times that the shows I play aren’t demanding my very best. It’s time to be surrounded by people who demand the best out of me, I’m craving that challenge.
3. To gain experience in the things that I want to do. I feel I’ve been pretty adrift in my pursuit of musical experiences recently. Playing whatever comes my way. I suppose that’s always my approach, playing all and every opportunity that comes my way. But it’s time to take control and drive this mother! I want to play for the big shows, I want to play with top singers and musicians. That would make me so happy, and the experience itself would be so fulfilling. I remember playing for Yusniel in Helsinki, he was so good! And being able to play with him, having just met him like an hour ago. That was amazing and that left me buzzing for days. I want to be in a place that will buzz me like that every day.
I am feeling so excited after talking with Rachel today. I know there is a chance of me not getting in the course I want, but I’m ready to hit them with my best shot 💪
It’s good to feel my feet back on the ground, ready to chase something again.
And Rachel is right. I’ve been questioning whether I’ve wasted good years of my life by working on ships, when I could have been growing. But I wasn’t ready then, I needed to be away from the studies to know the trajectory of my desire. And I’m so happy to have found it. It’s taken time, but it feels right.
Now all I just need to pull off the grind. The research, application, paperwork, preparation. Looks like it’s going to be a busy year!
Melon Break 