Personal Statement

Music performance is the field in which I have achieved the most, both within and
outside an educational context. I am currently learning a new song almost every week in
the band playing class at an international Folk High School in Denmark, which I have
been attending since August. The band playing class definitely helps to improve my
session and sight-reading skills as a bassist. Im also in the choir class, which also allows
me to improve my sight-reading but to also continue to work with others in music. Aside
from music, studying here is providing opportunities to learn a lot more about the world
we live in, through the eyes of the people from all over the world, that I live and study
with.

I have gained knowledge in many areas of music and developed my playing and
performing abilities, since achieving first an NC and then a HNC in music at North East
Scotland College. I have played in a number of bands and have achieved Grade 5 in both
bass guitar and music theory. My course work has included research into many areas of
music including performance, music theory and weekly bass guitar lessons. Ive also
been able to develop my teaching skills, through exploring the role of a music educator
during both of my graded units. This was a great opportunity for me, especially in year
two of my diploma, because I was able to gain an insight into teaching within the music
industry and also how to run your own teaching practice.

During secondary school, I was part of several music groups and was also a member of a
youth musical theatre group. I performed at various concerts throughout my school
career, where I played solo timpani, guitar and later on, bass guitar. I was also a member
of the schools orchestras and choirs. I also took part in several theatre productions inside
and outside of school. This included ensemble roles in several musicals over a period of
five years, as well as helping out back stage during a school play.

I fondly look back on my memories from these extra curricular activities; they definitely
helped broaden my music education as a teenager, and have prepared me well for my
current focus on music performance. I have been able to gain lots of skills and
experiences through performing by myself and with others and in many different styles of
music.

My volunteer work has included giving music classes at a disabled school during my
final year at Inverurie Academy and teaching a boy guitar at a local charity for young
adults with learning disabilities. This voluntary work really helped my people skills and
also boosted my confidence. I found that I was able to work with a wide variety of
people, which is both rewarding and motivating.
Overall, I feel that studying music performance at The Academy of Music and Sound will
provide extra experiences for me as a musician by taking my playing and performance
abilities to the next level. I would also like to develop my teaching skills and feel that I
would benefit from a deeper musical knowledge in some areas. Having a degree from
The Academy of Music and Sound would complete my education and prepare me for the
next stage of my life, and it will also give me the confidence and education I need to be
successful in teaching and develop into a more experienced and accomplished musician.