Sarah’s Blog
Hi, I’m Sarah. I absolved the preperatory course ‘Film Scoring and Production’ at Musicube Academy and now I am a second 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
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After this long summer break finally (at least for me) we’re back at ArtEZ!
(For those who read my last post, yes, I’m back too, it’s kind of a long story but the point is that I’m actually gonna finish my studies! :)))
Although I really enjoyed this summer I’m also looking forward to getting back in class. I’m a second year student now so a few things are different.
One thing are the electives. It’s the first time where you can chose a lot of your classes yourself. You’re still taught the general classes like Main Subject, Music Theory and Harmony at the Piano but there are also a lot of new things you can chose. It’s a great possibility to make the studies your own, to do what you’re really interested in and not be dependent on your fellow students choices. Though somehow my composer year sat together and talked about what to chose so we ended up in the same courses 😉
The first year we didn’t focus on any technical aspects like recording, mixing and mastering. So this was one of the first things we all could agree on. Sound is such an important part of a carrier in the music business also for filmcomposers.
So we all chose two classes covering that topic. Sound engineering and golden ears. Both are taught by a really nice guy called Raoul. He’s got his own music studio close to ArtEZ and knows a ton about that. Although I only had lessons with him once I really like his style of teaching. He knows what he’s talking about and you can see and hear that he really loves his job. He teaches at his studio so you can already have quite an authentic feeling of the work there.
Golden ears is the second class he is teaching and it is a program where you can train your ears to listen to different frequencies. This can improve your mix a lot!
Another nice change is that the groups are mixed now. So you don’t only have lessons with your fellow film music students from your year but also with instrumentalists and composers from other years. During the first year I kind of felt a little isolated cause almost all our classes we attended with the same group. Not that I don’t love my crew <3 but it’s also nice to get to know other students.
Rumours told that you get more and more electives the following years and I think it’s great that you can create your studies after your own interests and wishes.
Another class you’re always allowed to chose is your minor. This year I took vocals. Because I’m really passionate about singing it’s one of the classes I can’t wait to dive in. There’s so much possibility to learn and to become better and somehow I managed to get a really amazing teacher again.
I’m really happy that all the lessons are live again. Though I couldn’t find an apartment in Arnhem yet and I have to do a few things online during the first weeks I’m so glad that I’m able to meet the teachers in person and don’t have to count on my internet connection whether I can ask a question or not 😉
A lot of people told me that studying is the best time of your life. Though I think most of them never experienced the joy as much in the study than the life around it I’m super grateful that for me the joy lies in both of these things. I love to learn about music and I also enjoy the life of a student.
I’m sure I’m gonna enjoy this year at least as much as the last one!
I wish you all a great start into the school year!
All the best,
Sarah