Johnny Langridge
Independent school Oxon
Alice Howick
Independent school Worcs
Both first-year Music
students
(Johnny with Alice
(left) and her school friend, Olivia)
Clare is renowned in Cambridge for
being one of the best colleges for music - it is possible to raise
a full (and rather good, if we may say so) symphonic orchestra and
chorus from the student population alone. The Chapel choir - arguably
the best mixed choir in Cambridge - is internationally famed and
goes on lots of exciting tours (recent ones including Japan, USA
and Europe). There is plenty of opportunity for anyone to make music
at Clare, regardless of their course, with many occasions to perform
at, ranging from classical concerts to open-mic nights in the bar.
If you are interested in reading music
at Cambridge, Clare should certainly be at the top of your list
of colleges to consider. The College is very supportive of its music
students, offering grants to help to pay for instrumental lessons,
and more importantly, it is close to the faculty, meaning a few
extra minutes in bed.
Lectures are given at the
faculty for students of all colleges, whereas the supervisions are
predominantly organised by the college for their own students. This
means that you study most closely with fellow Clare students, but
see music students from all colleges at lectures. Supervisions for
first-year Clare 'musos', in Harmony, Counterpoint and Analysis,
range from being in groups of four to one-on-one sessions (and sometimes
we get biscuits). Supervisions for other aspects of the course are
arranged centrally by the faculty and tend to be in larger groups.
Life as a muso in Cambridge
can be as busy as you make it; what we lack in lectures (compared
to Nat Scis) we make up for in extra-curricular music-making. There
are several orchestras and choirs that are always looking for performers,
and many students also get involved in conducting and composing.
But if you find yourself with a bit of free time, there are many
other things to get involved in. Apparently, there are numerous
sporting activities, ranging from the ever-traditional rowing, to
Clare RATS - the college climbing club. The college bar is second
to none (even according to some non-Clare students) and puts on
regular 'ents'.
First-year rooms at Clare
(in Memorial Court , close enough to the University Library to actually
think about visiting it) are some of the biggest in Cambridge.
Music students can get grants to help towards the cost of buying
or hiring a piano or electric keyboard. So, in effect, with massive
rooms and our own pianos, we are possibly the coolest people in
Cambridge .
With so much music going
on, you'd be hard pushed to find a better place than Cambridge to
study the subject. And with its welcoming and musician-friendly
atmosphere, Clare College is definitely the best place to be.
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