13 Jan 2017
Clarinettist Adam (pictured) has been a Transitions student since 2015, utilising his Transitions provisionby receivingtwo years study at Junior Conservatoire. After much hard work and dedication, Adam was successful in his audition for the Bachelor of Music degree at RCS and will be one of seven Transitions students to successfully transition onto the ultra-competitive degreethis September. He took time to give us an insight into the life of a transitioning student.
Transitions Route? Music
Route specialism? Clarinet
What made you apply for Transitions? I had reached a point in my musical career where I was struggling to overcome many barriers and this was affecting my ability to continue to develop. Thankfully, Transitions provided me with a platform to break down those barriers and I auditioned and was accepted to study at the Junior Conservatoire of Music. Without Transitions, I would not be at the stage I’m at today.
The best thing about Transitions is”¦? The Transitions team and all the staff provide you with so much support and so many amazing opportunities to develop both in your area of study, and other opportunities to help with aspects outside of this as well. I have never met such an enthusiastic and supportive team. It is also great to meet other people who are in the same situation as me.
The best thing about Music is”¦? In my opinion, the best thing about music is that it is a universal communicator. No matter where you are in the world, you can always find common ground with music, whether it’s something in the charts just now or a Rachmaninoff Symphony. It allows you to express yourself in so many different ways and for me, that’s just amazing.
What have you been learning about recently? Most recently, in my clarinet lessons I’ve been preparing for upcoming competitions and tackling some new, and quite challenging repertoire! I’ve also worked with the Traditional Musicians as part of the Symphony Orchestra at the end of last term. I’m now looking forward to collaborating with The RCS Young Ballet Company in March as part of the Bridge Weekend. I’ve also got my concerto spot with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra at the end of the year!
Greatest achievement so far? Without a doubt, I’d say being selected to play Weber’s Concerto No. 1 with the Juniors Symphony Orchestra. I’ve always wanted to be able to perform with the backing of an orchestra and now that I’ve been given the opportunity to do so, it really is a dream come true.
In 10 years’ time, I will be hopefully be”¦? I hope to have started my career as a professional clarinetist and have some orchestral and solo experience under my belt. A place in an orchestra would be very nice too!
My role model is”¦? Matthew Chinn (Associate Head of Junior Conservatoire). Way back in S3 when I joined the North Ayrshire Senior Concert Band, he helped me to discover a love for music that I never knew I had. He has been my main inspiration to pursue music further because his achievements and the work he does at Juniors and around the country is simply amazing. I can’t thank him enough for his guidance and help over the last few years, and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now without him.
If I had to eat only one thing for the rest of my life I would eat”¦? I love any kind of Chinese food, so if I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life, it’d be Chinese!
If you could be an animal”¦? I’d be a cheetah I wish I could be as quick and agile as them!
Favourite”¦
”¦book? American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, such a crazy but brilliant book!
”¦musician/band? Don’t really have a favourite, I’ve got quite a range when it comes to taste in music!
”¦album or song? Can’t decide, I listen to so much music!
”¦film or TV programme? Casualty
Currently I am listening to”¦ I’m starting to explore the music of Rachmaninoff a lot more recently.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about a career in Music? I have three principles I stick by in order to be successful in music; you must be dedicated, confident and good at communicating. If you want a career in music, be ready to push yourself to the extremes and set yourself ambitious targets in order to progress. Anyone can have a career in music if they are willing to put in the hours and dedicate themselves to the cause.
