Course Studied: Film Music
"There is no right way to creating or playing music, that's what's so fascinating about it."
What has been the most important thing you've learned at LCoM?
There is no right way to creating or playing music, that's what's so fascinating about it. Every musician at LCoM has a different background in music and all bring something new to the table. My time at LCoM has shown me that there are countless musical opportunities to be explored and I feel like I'm only just getting started!
What are you planning on doing next after you leave LCoM?
Keep learning! I've been lucky enough to be exclusively signed as a composer for the publisher Pretty Decent Music. It's obviously great to have a constant stream of musical projects to work on, however, I've already learnt so much about music and the industry after only working with them for a couple of months, and I cannot wait to learn even more!
Is there anything you've encountered over the last few years that has really made you push yourself as a musician or anything new that you had not tried before?
Before LCoM I didn't really have the broadest knowledge of music, I enjoyed a lot of Classical music and listened to a few rock bands in my spare time. Studying at LCoM really changed that! Leeds has so much to offer musically, every concert I've been to over the years has influenced my perception of music. If you were to ask me what my favourite genre or style of music was I wouldn't have an answer. LCoM has taught me to appreciate all types of music, which I am truly grateful for.
What is the best piece of advice you've been given at LCoM?
Make the most of every opportunity you are given. No matter how terrible a job may be it is important that you are fully invested in it. I've had my fair share of awful musical jobs over the years and at the time I didn't get much out of them. However, it is the connections and relationships you gain that makes working on these projects worthwhile, I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't seized the opportunities I had, and do the best job I could.
What has been the best project / opportunity you've had during your degree?
During my 3rd year, my research project group went to the York 'Aesthetica' film festival. Seeing the huge variety of films showcased at the festival, and what the filmmakers and creatives had accomplished, many of which were in the audience, was inspiring. The festival also gave us a chance to meet the filmmakers and other creatives at a networking event. Not only did we make numerous connections and relationships with the creatives there, but allowed us to understand that they're just like us, and their success and accomplishments can be achieved by anyone.
What has been the biggest challenge and how has this helped you develop?
Knowing when to finish working on a piece of music has always been one of my biggest challenges. Especially in the first year of my degree, I would spend weeks, even months, working on projects, and by the time I'd finally complete my work, I'd lost sight of my original intentions or ideas. What I've learnt whilst studying at LCoM is when to know something is good enough! This doesn't mean to say that the final product would be worse quality, but knowing when a piece of music has reached its full potential has helped me work a lot more efficiently and effectively, a skill which is essential for the fast paced music industry.
What is your favourite LCoM memory?
Freshers week is definitely an honourable mention, but I'd have to say that showing my working to one of Hollywood's leading orchestrators, Nicholas Dodd, at the film night showcase is my favourite memory at LCoM. Having someone with a lifetime of experience in the film music industry comment on your work is not an opportunity to be missed.
What advice would you give to others thinking of applying to your course at LCoM?
Film Music is a niche and some people may think a purely Film Music based course may be too restrictive. At LCoM this is not the case. The course structure allowed me to major in Film Music whilst broadening horizons to others areas, such as classical performance, jazz arranging, and electroacoustic composition (that was a wild one). My experience at LCoM has been incredibly fulfilling and I'd recommend this course and the university to anyone who wishes to study all kinds of music.
How would you describe your experience at LCoM in three words?
Shaped my future.
