Interview - former student Holly talks Ingenium, studying at a conservatoire, and the future

25th May 2016

Image

 

Holly attended the Ingenium Academy in 2012 on piano, and after graduating from high school went on to gain a place at the Birmingham Conservatoire to continue her studies at undergraduate level and become a professional musician. Here she tells us about her time at Ingenium, how it inspired her to pursue music and her aspirations for the future.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself. What are you up to at the moment, and where do you hope to be in the next few years?

I’m currently a 3rd year student at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and am loving every moment of it! I’ve really been grateful for the chance of having so much time to focus on my practical skills as a musician – these years have been invaluable to me. For now, I still don’t really know what I want to do in terms of a specific career after I graduate, but I am definitely thinking of pursuing a postgrad in a few years. In the meantime I want to develop other skills that I haven’t had the opportunity to develop yet: I might do an internship in events management or marketing (preferably with a music related company), as I think any form of business-related skills are really handy! There are so many things to carry on learning and I am very excited!

 

Why did you decide to look for a summer course, and what first appealed to you about Ingenium?

I first heard about Ingenium through the Royal College of Music Junior Department where I was studying at the time, and it seemed like a great opportunity for me to make new friends, develop as a musician, and give me a taste of what it might be like to be a music student at a conservatoire – being surrounded by music all the time. Winchester also looked like a beautiful place to spend a holiday.

 

Tell us about your Ingenium experience

I had an absolutely wonderful time. I remember our days being full of activity from the moment we woke up to the moment we went to bed. The whole place had such an exciting atmosphere - everyone had such a passion for music and it was an amazing thing to share that excitement with each other. The fact that there were students from so many different countries with different cultural backgrounds was one particular thing that made my experience very special. The staff were extremely helpful and supportive and the teaching I received there was phenomenal, I still use techniques that I learned there to this day.

 

What are your 3 fondest memories of your time at Ingenium?

The relaxed evenings playing football and British bulldog in the field; Finding sheet music in the library and getting together impromptu groups of musicians together to sight read chamber music; And finally, the concert we gave at St James Picadilly in London – seeing all the hard work that everyone had put in.

 

Former Ingenium student Holly Shirra and friends on an excursion to Bournemouth during Ingenium 2012

 

On a day trip to Bournemouth during Ingenium 2012

 

Are you still in contact with any of your Ingenium friends?

Definitely! One of my best friends I met Ingenium. We still see each other when we can, and still play together sometimes, too! Another student I met at Ingenium also studies in Birmingham with me, and we still chat together and share some fond memories.

 

Why did you choose to go to a conservatoire?

Going to Ingenium was actually what made me decide to study at a conservatoire in the first place. I had always loved music, but was never sure about whether I could make a career out of it. For some reason I thought I would somehow stop enjoying music if I was doing it 24-7 as a profession. Well, silly me! I still remember vividly the car journey I had with my mum on the way back home after my stay at Ingenium. I was still absolutely buzzing, and was telling her how much I loved it. I remember my mum just telling me: ‘Holly, music makes you so happy - why don’t you just go ahead and study at a conservatoire?’ and then in that moment, it seemed like the simplest decision in the world! I don’t think I can imagine doing anything else, and since then, I have had no regrets at all about my career decision.

 

What is it like at your conservatoire - is it how you imagined it?

This sounds a little cliché, but it really is better than how I imagined it. At conservatoire there are always so many chances to watch and participate in concerts, as well as being able to build contacts with other musicians. There are so many things you can do and it is easy to get very busy, but you can also really prioritize your practice and take things down a notch if you like. The academic requirements aren’t nearly as demanding as in a conventional music degree at a University, so there is a lot more time to develop practical skills. The teachers are generally fantastic, and having instrumental lessons can be so rewarding when you have the right teacher for you.

 

What advice would you give to young people thinking about further study at a conservatoire, and a career in music?

I would tell them that if music is a passion of theirs, then go to a conservatoire and make the most of every minute – they are so lucky that they can spend every day for four years doing something that they truly love! The competition may seem a little scary, and it is very easy to compare yourself to others and criticise your playing. But never forget the reason why you are studying music: you have chosen this because it is something that you are really passionate about, and no amount of competition criticism can take that away from you.

 

Thanks Holly, and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to Ingenium 2016 on our Pastoral Staff team.

 

We love hearing how our students are getting on, so please let us know by email at info@ingeniumacademy.com.

Image

 

Holly with friends at Ingenium 2012

"The whole place had such an exciting atmosphere - everyone had such a passion for music and it was an amazing thing to share that excitement with each other"

Holly, former Ingenium Academy student and undergraduate at Birmingham ConservatoireHolly performing in her first year undergraduate recital at the RNCM

Holly, former Ingenium Academy student and undergraduate at Birmingham Conservatoire

 

Holly performing on the flute, her second instrument, at the Ingenium Academy 2012 internal performance platform

"The fact that there were students from so many different countries with different cultural backgrounds was one particular thing that made my experience very special"

Image