Navigating Music College…..
Some of you reading this will be preparing to embark on an Undergraduate or Masters music program somewhere. You’ll likely be feeling a mixture of excitement and perhaps some trepidation as far as what to expect. Totally normal. While music programs will differ in some particulars of curriculum, student profile and so forth, there also many aspects which these environments have in common I thought I’d share a few tips for those of you building up to beginning your studies….
Overwhelmed vs Inspired…..
It is totally normal in the early stages of one’s music college experience to feel at once inspired and intimidated by the depth of talent around you. Many of us who embark on music college were the star players in our school, local community, family etc. And so it’s only natural that it might take a moment to find one’s place in such an environment, and adjusting to being one of many talented people. I believe that this is a truly necessary developmental step for a young artist/musician, whether it comes via university education or simply playing on a bigger music scene. Our peers provide a mechanism for us to orientate ourselves; to assess where we are, where we wish to go, see where we are strong, have potential, and ways in which we may need to develop. Even if there’s an initial sting from this process, ultimately, this can only be clarifying and motivating in the longer term. In fact, I think this kind of growing experience is one great benefit from a university environment; to have the chance to gain a perspective on your talents and potential path. From my experience, students begin with different aptitudes and interests, and develop at different rates. One person you may look to as further along in one aspect may well be looking at you in a similar way. If you feel this, consider it growth. It likely means that you’re in a place where you can be inspired, and be pushed. And remember; you are likely doing this for someone else without even knowing it….
Find your own thing…….
When you get to college, you may already have a strong sense of the kind of musician/artist you are and where you want to go. This may be in terms of your chosen genre, or role (songwriter, artist, session player). While some people will use their College experience to go further down their original path, others will re-assess, and pivot. Either is totally ok!! During your university years, you have an opportunity to question and assess what it is that you truly enjoy, what can you spend hours doing and what you imagine doing in the future. If you change direction, this is not a failure, but rather a success to have been emotionally flexible enough to listen to yourself on a deeper level. The best advice I can give is to make sure to ask yourself these questions with an open mind, and to then shape your university experience from that foundation. This will give you the best chance to leave with the skills and clarity to make a running start….
Your peers are your greatest asset……
Bold statement here perhaps: the single most valuable part of going to study on an HE music program is the development of a musical peer group and community. This alone transcends the information, the course and the teachers etc, all of which provides value in other important ways. But it is your peers who are the people you will learn the most from, who will challenge and inspire you, counsel you, make art with you, bring you on to gigs , open new networks and so on and on. These relationships have deep roots for many reasons, and from my experience, can last a lifetime. Music is a relationships business, almost more so than any other. Your peers will go on to work in all facets of the biz in the years following College, and you will bring each other with you. My advice is to strive to find your crew. And if you don’t find them at first, be perseverant. They will be there. Keep looking. It can be one person, or two or 10. If you like a niche kind of metal, reggae, jazz, hip hop etc—-it doesn’t matter. Find kindred spirits who you can grow alongside. This will be one of the great gifts of your university experience and will play a major part in sustaining a career, and a life, in music.
Take teachers, not courses….
This is really a comment as you move through a program in to your 2nd, 3rd, 4th year and beyond. As you begin to specialise, and learn more about yourself, I believe it’s important to seek out teachers where you feel there could be real alignment philosophically and interpersonally. The reality is that a course---or private teacher---- will ultimately only be as effective as your learning experience with that particular person. In one’s younger days, the expectation of teachers or teaching may be (rightfully or wrongly) more along the lines of dispensaries of information, with anything else a bonus. As your educational needs develop, I don’t believe that the information can truly be separated from the way it is presented; from the way you feel about the person presenting it, from the way they relate to you, from your sense of their credibility/authority in that musical space, from the relationship with them in the room, and critically, from the space they create for you to flourish. Remember that you are the consumer. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should always be entitled to get a good grade or get exactly what you want in all aspects of your academic college experience. Of course not. However, it does mean that you can be proactive in researching and then connecting with faculty where you feel there will be a synergy. Get the education you want. All you need on a course is a couple of kindred teachers, who believe in you, help you to stretch, and where you feel a motivation under their wing to strive to bring your best self to the table. In classes where you don’t feel this connection with a teacher—-and don’t have the agency to make a change——take the information, and make it yours. Then try to find teachers who can light that fire in you and you’ll be in good stead.
Your career has started already……
Last but not least, a thought experiment: rather than thinking that you are a university student who is a musician, I would really encourage you to think that you are a musician who happens to be at university…..