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Taking the plunge: The hopes and fears of students as they begin music college

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2006

Rosie Burt
Affiliation:
Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS, UKrburt@rcm.ac.ukjmills@rcm.ac.uk
Janet Mills
Affiliation:
Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS, UKrburt@rcm.ac.ukjmills@rcm.ac.uk

Abstract

The attitudes and experiences of 13 music students entering a conservatoire were tracked before their entry and throughout their first term at college. Aspirations and apprehensions towards the musical, academic and social aspects of college life were collected in addition to career aims, and the data analysed qualitatively to produce emergent themes. Three pivot points were drawn from the analysis, describing events or factors that appear to shape the development of the students as musicians. The first highlights the importance of the students' first performance at college, and the second focuses on overcoming possible feelings of inadequacy generated from being one of many outstanding musicians. Thirdly, the role of feedback is highlighted as an important part of the students becoming confident in all aspects of their musical work.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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