Sarah’s Blog
Hi, I’m Sarah. I absolved the preparatory course ‘Filmscoring and Production’ at Musicube Academy and now I am a third year student of Composition for Film and Theatre. In this blog I’m gonna share my personal experience as a student at ArtEZ in Arnhem.
Any questions: sarahs_blog@yahoo.com
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
And again the summer is almost over. For me, the vacations passed very quickly and yet I am very excited about everything that awaits me in the new academic year, my 3rd. The half-time came faster than expected and before you know it you are planning your final and are done with your studies.
This year, things are going to change, and not just for me. Composition for Film and Theatre is now an independent department and has also got a new department head! This is gonna have an effect on exams, projects, and generally led to a redesign of the curriculum (new required courses, restructuring, etc.).
In addition, in the third year, even more than in the second year, you have many opportunities to design your own studies (electives). Thus, the study becomes more and more individual and there are some new courses waiting for me.
This year I have set myself a few challenges. Not only have I chosen percussion as a minor, but also subjects like Stage Presentation and Media Presence will certainly be a bit of a challenge for me.
But one week before it starts again for everyone, the Introduction week for the new ones takes place. Since I’m currently hosting two of them, I get to see firsthand what they’re experiencing. They also have to face a challenge: playing in a band.
For most of the composers I’ve met here, this is a rather uncomfortable situation. Especially when you’re surrounded by so many talented instrumentalists. I felt the same way in some projects. In the end, you also have to perform a 10-minute improvisation in front of a big audience.
This is a challenge, but at the same time a huge opportunity. Namely, the chance to get to know the fellow students better and to gain experience in terms of collaboration with other musicians.
Besides the introduction week, there was already a bootcamp where all departments were united and you could already make contacts. At my time Corona had unfortunately put a spanner in the works, but it is all the nicer that it could take place this time.
Of course, there are also some informative events during the Introduction week and I still remember the Music&Health day, where there were various workshops on topics such as the correct posture, health of the ears, etc..
There was also a day for the international students from all disciplines to get to know each other with a diverse program including a masterclass and various get-to-know-you games.
Beginnings are always exciting, but also wonderful. Every year at ArtEZ feels like a little beginning to me 🙂
All the best,
Sarah
PS: This is our new head, Vanessa Lann!!