Music Personal Statement 音樂專業個人陳述（PS）
I have had a keen interest in music since the age of seven. I've always enjoyed listening to all types of music, especially classical and jazz. Through my earlier years as a young apprentice musician, I focused mainly on classical music, as I started to play the violin at the age of eight. This was the beginning of my musical career. Since, I have been given numerous chances to play in shows and spectacles all over the country with school, one being a performance in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, and several solo performances in local theatres and town halls. During my time at DominicanCollege, I have been involved in at least two different major musical productions a year. In recent years I have been given responsibility in orchestras and bands. I have directed and conducted two string quartets for different shows and arranged several pieces for these performances
Although I much enjoy playing, I enjoy composing a lot more. For my GCSE and AS level music compositions, I achieved full marks. Apart from playing the violin, I also play the piano. I gained Grade 3 in 4 years ago, but I haven't done any more exams since. I can play the piano at a grade 5-6 standard, and I tend to focus on jazz music and improvisation. My piano skills should be more than adequate for my university course. I understand that a BMus or a BA in music allow you to choose options to focus on, such as composition and performance. I have chosen courses in good sized music departments, where I have a good choice of specialist options. I think I would like to focus on composition and music analysis, as these tend to be my present forte
Although I have done few 'grade' exams, I am now playing at a grade 7-8 standard and I am working on several pastiches by Fritz Kreisler
One of the other aspects of music I enjoy is teaching. I find it rewarding and fun to do. For my work experience I chose to work with a peripatetic string tutor who worked for the NEELB music board. It lasted one week, and I enjoyed it immensely. The teacher gave me the chance to teach the students on my own. This gave me a real insight into teaching a wide range of different techniques to different levels of player. For example, I taught a girl in primary seven how to hold a bow properly, and I taught a boy in Form 4 how to play a chromatic scale. For two years I have been helping to teach at a local youth string orchestra on Tuesday evenings. A music degree will enable me to keep my options open as to a career path
Apart from music, my other love is golf. I have played golf for about 3-4 years, and I have been a member of Portstewart Golf Club for three years. I started playing golf because I always had a keen interest in it, but previously had no opportunity to play. However, once I started, I was hooked! I play most weekends and last year I played in the Fred Daly team, an all Irelandcompetition for under 18s. I managed to help the team to the quarterfinals of the Ulstersection. To date, I have won one of the clubs 'majors', that being a match play tournament called the Moore-Brown challenge cup. At the moment, I play off a handicap of 7.
