Choosing to pursue a career within the classical music world is no mean feat. Most of us started our instruments around the same time we started to read and write and therefore they have been with us for a very long time. I am sure none of us would want to be without them, but it is funny to think that we have actually never been without them. All those hours practicing, studying and preparing for exams, performances and auditions… in many ways it took over our lives. It became our priority, our ambition and our lifestyle.

Now, all of this is part of the journey and to be expected when going after a career in something so steeped in history, the pursuit of excellence and perfection. But, the other day I was remembering a conversation I had back when I was in College. I was talking to a Masters student who had attended University for their Undergraduate before switching to Music College for their Masters and asked them whether they had noticed a difference between studying in a Music College verses a University. They said that the main difference that they felt was the difference in atmosphere. Music College was a huge bubble of musicians, therefore the pressure and tension felt a lot higher as everyone was so focussed on their instrument and doing music. Whereas at University, they had a chance to meet a diverse array of people who weren’t on the same course a them, and who were studying all sorts of fascinating degrees and subjects. Therefore, it was easier to have more of a perspective around their music studies and think about their ambitions and goals more rationally, without getting so overwhelmed by it all.

Perhaps it isn’t so surprising to have a high pressure and competitive environment when you put a group of people together all working towards similar goals, like music. However, it did make me think, how much were we stressing over things that the ‘real world’ couldn’t care less about? Was our experience of student life really that removed from the larger portions of society? And how was it really affecting us? Like I said, pursuing classical music (or any classical artform really) is no mean feat and is something we have been working towards for most of our lives. But do we ever really get a chance to step outside of that once we have ‘boarded that train’, so to speak?

Since graduating from my degree, I have supported my music making by taking a part-time job completely removed from the music world. This was a conscious decision I made since I wanted the chance to learn something new after having studied music for so long. And from this experience of trying something new, I have realised how real the music bubble is,(or was, from my perspective now). I realise how much I worried about things that shouldn’t have been all that much of a concern. How I let people’s opinions of me and the music I write really affect and control so many of my decisions. But since stepping outside of the bubble and giving myself a chance to really consider what it is I want to achieve within this artform, I feel that I have much more confidence and clarity of thought in regards to my personal goals and ambitions, which is very freeing.

Therefore, I guess my message for today is to remind you to live a life outside of music, just as much as you live a life inside of music. Speak to people who don’t have the same job, career or ambitions as you do. If you can, work and collaborate with these people as well. Not only will it give you a perspective on what it is you are doing and the journey you are on, but it may inform you on what people outside of the music world actually like. What music are they interested in and like to hear? Because at the end of the day, it isn’t all about us, it is about the audience as well. And, lastly, remember to enjoy your life and have fun too- I am sure you don’t want to look back on your life and only see the four walls of the practice room, do you?