This section of the site contains information and interesting reading from Cumbrian students at university and college studying music, performing or visual arts.

If you are considering applying to study a music or arts course, and have questions, email them to us via the contact us page. We also hear from people who have decided not to go to college and are looking for music and arts-related work or alternative training. If you would like to share your experiences, please get in touch.

Fiona Clayton
University of Cumbria, National Diploma in Music.
What musical skills do you hope to get at college?
More opportunity to adapt to other peoples abilities so an improvement in listening skills. There is an emphasis on pop music on the course which is different to what I play (what do you play?) - more like folk influenced - like a laid-back take on pop music . .more >>

Lydia Leith
Edinburgh College of Art: Graphic Design
(Cumbria Institute of the Arts: National Diploma in Art and Design)
..... The foundation tutors (CIA) were VERY GOOD, really enthusiastic, involved, interested, knowledgeable and friendly. The foundation year (2nd year of N.D.) we when on a trip to London and one to Barcelona which i . . . .more >>

Oli Bentley
Leeds College of Music  - Jazz degree
.....Would advise if you want to do jazz then this is the place to be. If you do pop/funk/soul/rock etc there's one piece of advice
- do a jazz degree!
. . .more >>

Jordie Cooke
Music, Newcastle College
An interview with Jordie about life at College
What were your first impressions?
It was amazing. My flatmates were all really chilled-out and we shared doing the washing-up and cooking. . . .more >>

Ella Jarman-Pinto
GSMD, (Guildhall School of Music & Drama), Classical Composition
First Post: getting ready to go..October 20th 2007...
Second Post: after 8 weeks...November 22nd 2007....This place is the most amazing place in the world. After the first week, it all made sense! And even if it didn’t, it wouldn’t just be you who didn’t have a clue! . . .more >>

Ben Parkinson
Leeds College of Music, Popular Music Course, 3-year degree
Why did you feel Leeds wasn't for you in the end?
Before I got to college I went to a summer school at the college and thought is was really good, the facilities were excellent and it looked very smart.... For a practical music course there were only two . . .more >>

Tim McVicar
Music, Newcastle University
I did Performing Arts for A-Level, but I don’t have any grades at all, as I am completely self taught. I thought this would be a problem, but I told them in my interview, and it has turned out fine! When I went to my interview I was told that the course is quite classically based, which at . . .more >>

Tim Shaw
Music, Newcastle University
I am Tim Shaw and I am just about to start studying music at Newcastle University. It is a very traditional course and university which at first put me off, but after reading into it made me want to challenge myself. I am worried that it will be a lot of work and the standard will be . . .more >>

Shaun Brady
Newcastle Metropolitan 2nd year
Creative music and sound technology. BSc.,
Are you enjoying the course? I love it - i couldn't have picked a better course for me.
Why? It offers what i was looking for and has exceeded . . .more >>

Emily Farncombe
Tapestry, Edinburgh College of Art
What did you do after you finished your course?
I worked as a community artist in Edinburgh - that was great. I had started networking in my final year as I saw that nothing was going to happen, so I started volunteering at a community arts centre and then . . .more >>

Rob Heron
What are your plans?
Hopefully study folk and traditional music at Newcastle, but carry on with my solo career at the same time. After that I don’t know what I’ll do, hopefully something to do with music.
I like playing folk music better than pop or jazz.. . .more >>

Tom Macmillan
William Howard School, Brampton
I play guitar. I haven't done any practical exams but I have passed Grade 5 theory. I like theory! I did music A level, but not GCSE. I got a C. I took music at A level because I had been playing guitar for a while and I decided I would like a career based on music...I left after 6th form. All of the teachers . . .more >>

Rosalie Short
Glasgow University, Theatre
I'm studying at glasgow; originally theatre and english but after many depressing victorian novels now just theatre. I love glasgow! brilliant music n clubs and buildings and genuine, fun people. there is so much stuff to do outside classes that i dont get round to most of it! . . .more >>

Ailsa Thomson
Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Performing Arts
Why did you choose a performing arts course? Performing arts meant that i could be involved in all aspects of the theatre i didn't have to specialize. i did film, dance, community theatre and musical theatre.
How did you find Carlisle?. . .more >>

Gwen Bainbridge
Cumbria College of Art and Design 83-84
1 year Foundation course.
Sunderland Polytechnic - glass and ceramic design.  84-87
3 year degree course BA Hons.....At college they didn't tell you to do a representational . . .more >>

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