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We asked music tutors what they're looking for (and what to avoid) in your personal statement – here's what they told us. For more personal statement advice, see our guide for everything you need to get writing .

What to include in your music personal statement

• Where your musical enthusiasm lies: Dr Kirsten Gibson, music admissions tutor and programme leader at Newcastle University (an academic course), is looking for detailed, engaging examples of your musical experiences, interests, and your academic and musical aspirations. These could lie in performance, composition, music history, analysis, ethnomusicology, or elsewhere.
• Wider reading around music: for academic courses in particular, do mention additional reading you've done around the subject, including what you've learned from it. You should also be prepared to expand on this during an interview .
• Extra-curricular musical activities: rather than reeling off a list of what you've done, try and write reflectively about the insights, skills, and knowledge you've gained from a select few experiences.
• Why music: write clearly and engagingly about the subject and your reasons for wanting to study it at university level – this should naturally lead you to demonstrate your current knowledge, skills, passion, and suitability for the course.
• Teamwork skills: the University of Bristol is also keen to see examples inside or outside of your studies where you've demonstrated your abilities to work well as part of a team.
• Awareness of what different music courses cover: practical or academic, your statement should engage directly with the actual courses you’re applying for. If you're applying to a conservatoire, do refer to the relevant advice on our website .
• popular music
• composition
• performance
• songwriting
• church music
• Make sure your statement highlights some of your skills, knowledge, achievements, or experience that are relevant to that field. Remember to do this in a reflective way, not just with a list of things you've done.

What not to do in your music personal statement

• Clichés: avoid the likes of ‘music is my life' or ‘music is a universal language.’
• Replication: including information on additional music qualifications and grades you have is important, but put these in one of the qualifications boxes on your application form so you don’t have to waste valuable space on it in your statement.
• Ignore the course content: make sure your statement shows you've researched your courses carefully, to ensure that they suit your musical and professional aspirations. If it's a course that focuses on music production or technology, for instance, then your statement needs to talk about your practical and academic interests in these areas.

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Music Personal Statement Guide

Personal statements can be a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, they all need to do the same things as each other, namely describe your interest in a subject, your motivation for studying it at university, and your readiness to undertake the course. On the other, they have to be unique to you and to stand out from all the others. It’s little wonder that students struggle to know how and where to begin.

It’s also understandable if the prospect of putting pen to paper is daunting, but the best way to approach it is not to delay but instead to look at the writing of it as you might an essay. There are certain requirements that it must fulfil, it needs to follow a structure, and it should be interesting and entertaining to read.

To dispel any concerns you might have about what to do and not do when writing your statement, this guide will take you through the following steps:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in a Music Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in a Music   Personal Statement ?  
• Advice on How to Start a Music Personal Statement
• Advice on How to Finish a Music Personal Statement

What Should I Avoid in a Music Personal Statement ?  

Don’t just focus on the one or two aspects you’re most interested in, e.g. playing jazz piano or analysing the works of lesser-known German Romantic composers. As the degree is a broad one, show that you’re willing to learn about other areas and to acquire new skills .

The language of your personal statement should maintain a polite formality and avoid casual language . You should also never rely on banal clichés or other people’s words, i.e. quotations, because this is your chance to talk about you in your own words and way.

Above all else, don’t exaggerate and don’t lie ; tutors can tell when abilities are overstated and books haven’t been read. This is especially important if you’re going for an interview or have to give a performance as questions will be asked.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Advice on How to Start a Music Personal Statement  

One way to open your personal statement is to begin with why you’re compelled to study music at university and talk about how your interest has developed up to this point. It’s not necessary to trace your deep interest in music all the way back to the first piece you ever heard. It’s enough to mention a moment of recognition or realisation in your relationship with music that set you on this path.

If you don't want to begin at the chronological start of your musical journey, you could instead open with the area that most captures your interest. Use this as an opportunity to jump straight into an academic discussion and set the tone for the rest of your statement.

Universities want to see you’re going to maintain your interest and passion, but also that you can develop further as a musician and academic. It's difficult to encompass this in an opening statement, so sometimes it helps to brainstorm ideas around the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of your choice, and only then begin to draft an interesting introduction.

Advice on How to Finish a Music Personal Statement  

A degree in music is going to expose you to so much more than you have encountered up to now in this field, so universities want to know this won’t be lost on you. If you feel so inclined, you can talk about various modules you like the look of (as long as each university in your application offers something similar) and what you think studying those will bring you.

The conclusion to an effective statement brings together your ideas, interests, motivation, and ambition to reiterate your desire to study music to an advanced level and your suitability to do so.

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Music Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Music Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Music Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Music Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

It’s likely that some of your music degree will involve working as part of groups, as well as independently. This reflects the music industry more widely as, whether it’s in a studio or an orchestra pit, musicians, composers, conductors, and sound technicians all have to work together to produce what you ultimately hear. Your statement should therefore reference the extent to which you’ve collaborated with others to achieve common goals, as well as what your own independent endeavours have produced.

A degree in music relies on a range of skills, many of which you’ll have started to develop at school. Examples of these include problem-solving, analysis, critical thinking, creative invention, an eye for detail, and performance under pressure. It’s not necessary to list all your skills and how you’ve acquired them, but mentioning how you’ve come by some and the ways they could be transferable to the academic study of music will enable you to demonstrate your readiness for the degree.

The personal statement cannot exceed 4000 characters (including spaces), or alternatively 47 lines of the UCAS form. It’s therefore paramount you make the most of all the available limit you’re given by working out in advance what you should include and exclude, based on how important you deem the information to be. When you start writing, it will become easier to work out how best to express your ideas concisely.

Naturally, your extracurricular engagement with music should be given space in the statement, but it’s not enough just to list what you do and to what level. Universities want to see how you’ve learned and grown as a student and musician, and whether you have the potential to develop even further. Over and above your musical competencies, it’s always worthwhile talking about instances where you’ve done something out of the ordinary, which might be leading a youth orchestra, playing the piano in a care home, or teaching music to toddlers. Finally, your reading and thoughts around the subject should always feature in the statement as this is a surefire way of demonstrating intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.

Whilst you cannot be too specific (since the same statement is sent to all your university choices), there are some styles and techniques you can employ to ensure your personal statement is Oxbridge-appropriate.

A main consideration to make is that the Oxford and Cambridge courses are expectedly broad, but give you scope to tailor your path to suit your interests. This means you have free rein, within reason, to choose modules that suit you. That said, the universities will want to see your willingness to learn what might not initially appeal to you, as this is a mark of a dispassionate and intellectually free approach to study. You shouldn’t, therefore, rule anything out either in your statement or interview, but rather maintain an open mind and be prepared to throw yourself into all that the course can offer.

Furthermore, Oxbridge personal statements should be incredibly discerning on content, and should only mention academically-relevant experiences or resources which prove either your interest, motivations, or skills relevant to the music degree course.

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Essays, Personal Statements, and Résumés for Music Students

Essays, personal statements and résumés for music students can be daunting. While the audition is a key component in the acceptance process, admission reps want you to keep in mind that the paperwork side of the application is also important.

by Caitlin Peterkin

“We have a small interview component to our audition process and we review recommendation letters and a student’s music history (typically via the résumé),” says Megan Grady, music recruitment coordinator and assistant director of Admission at the University of Puget Sound School of Music. “We also like to see what else students do and if we think they’ll fit in well with our liberal arts university, not just the School of Music.”

Applying to music school is a highly-competitive process. Brittany Jimenez, associate director of Undergraduate Admission at USC Thornton School of Music , encourages students to be genuine and to put their best foot forward in all parts of the admission process.

“There are many parts of the application and admission process you cannot control, like who else is applying,” she says, “so carefully managing the parts you can control (like the writing supplements and portfolio submissions) will be very important.”

Catch the attention you want

An essay, often referred to as your personal statement, is required by many music schools. Each school posts its own guidelines for these. If you’re uncertain about what they’re asking for, contact the admissions office.

The Common App streamlines the process of applying to several schools, although not all schools use it. You’ll find out whether colleges and universities that use the Common App require a personal essay once you create your Dashboard on the Common App website. The Common App provides a list of “prompts” or ideas to write about and you are given the option to edit your essay after you submit your first application. Even if schools don’t require a personal essay, you’ll have the option to submit one.  

Music schools within universities as well as some colleges require you to apply to the university or college as well as to the music school. A separate school of music essay may also be required. Schools will indicate the word count as well as prompts or a specific theme they want you to write about. This may be referred to as a “supplemental essay.”

You can also choose to apply directly to schools instead of using the Common App. A request for supplemental materials including writing requirements is built in to these applications.

Note that these requirements may be different for transfer students.

So how do you make sure your essay and personal statement stand out from the crowd?

Here are suggestions from recruiters and admission representatives for creating essays they’ll they’ll be eager to read:

1. Do your research.

“It is beneficial to research the school and program and speak to the specific aspects and opportunities you find most relevant to you and your interests,” says Jimenez. “Getting to know the specific programs and faculty is important because every school is going to be unique in the type of experience they offer.”

Patrick Zylka, assistant dean for Admission, Financial Aid and Graduate Services at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music , agrees. “We want to know an applicant has done the research on our institution, not just that it’s a top ten ranking, or that their best friend goes here, but that they’ve really dug a little bit deeper and understand what the institution offers….and whether we’re actually a good fit for them.”

But he adds the caveat to not just regurgitate what’s on a school’s website: “Don’t tell us we’re a beautiful campus next to Lake Michigan—we already know!”

2. Don’t copy and paste.

Faculty and staff recognize that you’re probably applying to multiple institutions. Make sure to write a unique statement for each one, tailoring each essay to the specific program you’re applying to. Schools do not want to see a generic, cookie-cutter answer as to why you’re choosing their particular program.

“Essays that are clearly ‘cut and paste’ versions of an essay you’ve sent to a dozen schools…are not very persuasive,” says Christina Crispin, assistant director of Admissions at Eastman School of Music .

3. Show your personality!

As faculty and admissions reps review hundreds of applications each year, they want to read thoughtful statements from prospective students to get a better sense of each individual’s personality.

According to Zylka, admission reps view the essay as an applicant’s only opportunity to really show who they are as an individual, more than what any transcript or test score can reveal. “Speak from the heart,” he says. “If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re serious, be serious.”

Grady agrees: “We are looking for students to tell us more about themselves. We like to see creative essays that tell us something we may not be able to learn from the rest of their application.”

4. Proofread—multiple times.

Not only are essays a good way to show your personality, but they’re also a chance to demonstrate that you can write in a clear and coherent way.

“The essays that we are least impressed by are those that have typos, grammatical or punctuation errors—anything that screams, ‘I didn’t proofread this,’” says Crispin.

Some other no-nos: run-on sentences and “writing one big paragraph instead of a thought-out essay,” according to Grady.

Your résumé – the right way

Nearly all applications for music schools require a résumé.  

“The résumé is the place for applicants to highlight their musical accomplishments and experiences,” says Crispin. “If they want us to know about other extracurricular activities, leadership, volunteer work, etc., the résumé is a good place to capture that information.”

“It’s important to tell us about any honors, awards, summer festivals, private lessons,” adds Zylka. “Things that show us you didn’t just go to high school from a certain time in the morning to the afternoon.”  

• Make it clean and organized.

There is no one right way to format a résumé unless specified by the schools you’re applying to. They should be easy to read. Include your contact information plus music-specific information and experience.

“Present your résumé in an organized way so it is easy to review what you have done and when,” says Jimenez. “The résumé is typically 1-2 pages in length and mostly focuses on accomplishments and activities during high school.”

“Clean résumés are best—for musicians, that involves what you’ve performed, competitions you’ve won, ensembles you’ve performed along with chair placement (if applicable),” says Grady.  

“Keep your activities limited to your high school achievements,” she adds “unless there’s something particularly outstanding (like a performance at Carnegie Hall) that took place before high school. Show that you play multiple instruments and for how long, who you’ve studied with, ensemble directors, etc.”

• Proofread.

Edit your résumé multiple times, and have a trusted friend, family member, or teacher look it over. “We never want to see typos, misspelled words, or grammatical errors,” says Jimenez.

Final thoughts

Crispin advises all students to start their application early. “We often hear from applicants that they were surprised how much time it took to fill out their applications, and you don’t want to be rushing and risking errors right before the deadline,” she says. This also includes reaching out to teachers for recommendations well before applications are due.

Just like no two music programs are the same, no two application processes are the same. Do the research on what exactly is needed for each program you’re applying to, and make a checklist with deadlines for each one.

Finally, utilize all the resources available online and in admission offices. “Our website should be your best friend throughout the process,” says Jimenez. “Your other best friends will be the people in the office of admission. Applicants are always encouraged to ask questions anytime! We want our applicants to be successful throughout the admission process and are here to help however we can.”

Caitlin Peterkin is a writer/editor and arts enthusiast currently based in Portland, OR. She has worked as program manager for Earshot Jazz (Seattle) and has written for BestNewBands.com , Chronicle of Higher Education , and Paste Magazine . She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Music.  

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Applying for Music at Oxbridge: The Course, and How To Craft A Standout Music Personal Statement

Find out more about the Oxbridge music courses and what to read/ listen to for your music personal statement with U2 tutor, Kai (1st Class Cambridge Music graduate and current Oxford PhD student, researching the existential implications of AI-composed music).

What does a Music course involve at Oxford or Cambridge?

Studying Music at university is an inspiring and thrilling experience—yet, until you have first-hand experience, it can be difficult to tell what an academic Music course actually entails. Specifically, how does studying Music at a university like Oxford or Cambridge differ from doing a performance or composition degree at a conservatoire? Is there a difference?

The short answer is yes—there is a huge difference. For although you can choose to make performance or composition play a role in your university studies, they will never become the main focus; at both Oxford and Cambridge, both performance and composition are each limited to around a fifth or sixth of your studies in a given year. So what do you do with the rest of your time? Here are some of the key components that make up most Music degrees:

Music history

o   This is usually focused on the development of Western music (all the way from plainchant to the present!); the emphasis is on the continuities and discontinuities between styles through history. For example, how did Schoenberg’s atonal music emerge from Wagner’s late Romanticism? At the same time, music history explores how music has both shaped and been shaped by the extra-musical features of its historical context, such as literature, visual art, philosophy, theology, and politics. For example, what impact did Stalin’s censorship have on Shostakovich’s musical style?

Theory and stylistic composition

o   This is the study of the fundamental methods and conventions that define a musical language. Although there will likely be an initial focus on the Western tonal and modal tradition—for example, Classical and Romantic harmony, Baroque fugue, and Renaissance counterpoint—there is also scope for things like jazz transcriptions, film music composition, and orchestration.

o   At first, analysis is not hugely differentiated from theory, as both involve understanding how music is constructed; at its most basic level, then, analysis involves things like identifying chords and structural markers in specific compositions. However, where analysis becomes really exciting is when you can build on these foundations to make your own judgments and interpretations. For example, there might be a Chopin nocturne you love, and that always makes you feel nostalgic; you could then try to get the bottom of how exactly Chopin’s compositional decisions—his choice of specific chords etc.—may serve to evoke such feelings.

Composition

o   Here you have ‘free reign’, as it were. Although you will be encouraged to find your own compositional voice, you will be exposed to lots of different musical styles, especially those of living composers, in order to inspire you.

Performance

o   This is predominantly assessed through solo recitals. However, given that you are studying at an academic university rather than a conservatoire, there is also an emphasis on understanding key issues in performance, rather than simply practising your instrument. For example, to what extent are a performer’s facial expressions part of their performance?

Ethnomusicology and sociology of music

o   These related areas constitute the study of music in specific cultural contexts, with a particular emphasis on how musical practices interact with social structures. Ethnomusicology differs subtly from sociology of music in its focus on musics that do not belong to the broad tradition of Western art music—for example, the gamelan music of Bali. The sociology of music tends to be more focused on issues like gender, sexuality, and power structures, as they manifest in the music of contemporary society.

Psychology of music (music and science)

o   This investigates how we perceive and are uniquely affected by music, using psychological methods such as listening experiments, surveys, and brain scans.

What should I read (and listen to!) in preparation for my music personal statement and interviews?

I would suggest, as a general rule, that there are two types of book you should read. Firstly, general overviews and introductions are extremely useful for providing a basic grounding in key areas, as well as for drawing your attention to specific topics that might strike you as especially fascinating. This brings me to the second type of book: more narrowly focused works on a specific topic, such as a composer, a period of history, or a key concept (such as cultural appropriation in music). Remember, though, that you are NOT expected to have read and to know everything! So even though I will provide quite a few suggestions, I would suggest that you stick to reading a couple of introductory books and a couple of books that align with your specific interests. What’s most important is that you read carefully and critically —make sure to note down your ideas as you read. This will be useful for your personal statement as admissions tutors are looking for applicants who can critique and present their opinions, rather than list an abundance of books they have read. Some introductory books include:

An Introduction to Music Studies , edited by JPE Harper-Scott and Jim Samson

o   This book consists of a series of chapters by renowned specialists on the key areas and themes in the study of music—in effect, a much expanded (and much better!) version of the summary I gave above.

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions

o   There are several of these for music, including: Music (in general); Film Music; Folk Music; Ethnomusicology; Psychology of Music; Early Music; World Music; Country Music; and The Blues. Because they are so short and readable, they are the perfect way to sample various areas.

A Guide to Musical Analysis , by Nicholas Cook

o   This is a readable overview of key concepts and techniques in musical analysis; it’s especially useful for those who are daunted by the topic.

Musicology: The Key Concepts , by David Beard and Kenneth Gloag

o   This book consists of a huge number of short entries on themes in musicology, including things like ethics, gender, globalization, interpretation, modernism, and the sublime.

In terms of the second type of book, there are two main ways to find them. You can look for what the above introductions reference when they are focusing on a particular theme. In addition, you can simply search on a website that sells books—such as Amazon, Waterstones, or Blackwell’s—for the topic you are interested in, such as Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring . In general, books published by university presses, such as Oxford and Cambridge, will be more detailed and will be written by specialist academics; for this reason, I would encourage you to give some a go, but also not to be discouraged if you don’t understand everything at this stage. The key point is to read what grabs your attention —for this reason, there is no extensive general reading list I can give. That said, here are some personal suggestions for particularly good books on specific areas:

The Rest is Noise , by Alex Ross

o   This is an extremely popular book, and rightly so. Ross takes you on a journey through twentieth-century music, from late Romanticism, through Stockhausen, to Rock music.

The Classical Style and The Romantic Generation , by Charles Rosen

o   Both these books are classics, and focus on the Classical and Romantic eras respectively. Their main strength is Rosen’s ability to present deep insights from the music itself—they are ‘serious’ musicology—in a beautifully readable manner.

Cambridge Music Handbooks

o   This is a series of short books, written by specialists, each of which focuses on a specific piece, from Bach’s Mass in B Minor to The Beatles’s Sergeant Pepper . They are both accessible and rigorous.

Sound and Symbol , by Viktor Zuckerkandl.

o   This is a beautiful and quite poetic book that explores the experience of listening to music. Although there is some analysis, it is engaging throughout and never dry. 

Finally, it is crucial never to stop listening to music! Never just read a book on musical history without looking up some of the music mentioned and listening to it yourself—otherwise, what’s the point of studying music? Listen to what you love, read about what you love to listen to, and listen to what you are reading about. At the same time, listen to pieces outside your comfort zone , and make sure you are familiar with some of the seminal pieces in the history of music —not just because they are important in the study of music due to their influence, but also because they are generally amazing!

Some good music pieces to listen to for Oxbridge applications

Try listening to a few pieces a week, along with the score (there are many YouTube videos with the audio synced up with the score). Here are some suggestions, in chronological order—this list is by no means exhaustive, and is focused on the kind of music that you will encounter whilst studying music history (that is, music from the Western art music tradition):

·         Dies Irae anonymous plainchant

·         O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti , by Hildegard of Bingen (12th century)

·         Viderunt Omnes , by Perotin (c.1200)

·         Ave Maria Virgo Serena , by Josquin (c.1475)

·         Missa Papae Marcelli , by Palestrina (c.1562)

·         Vespers , by Monteverdi (1610)

·         St Matthew Passion , by Bach (1741)

·         Piano Concerto no.21 , by Mozart (1785)

·         Symphony no.9 , by Beethoven (1824)

·         Dichterliebe , by Schumann (1840)

·         Tristan and Isolde (especially the Prelude and Liebestod ), by Wagner (1865)

·         Symphony no.4 , by Brahms (1885)

·         Symphony no.9 (‘From the New World’) , by Dvorak (1893)

·         Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun , by Debussy (1894)

·         Symphony no.5 , by Mahler (1902)

·         Violin Concerto , by Sibelius (1905)

·         Gaspard de la nuit , by Ravel (1908)

·         Three Piano Pieces op. 11 , by Schoenberg (1909)

·         Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis , by Vaughan Williams (1910)

·         The Rite of Spring , by Stravinsky (1913)

·         Cello Concerto , by Elgar (1919)

·         Symphony , by Webern (1928)

·         Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta , by Bartok (1937)

·         Symphony no.5 , by Shostakovich (1937)

·         Appalachian Spring , by Copland (1944)

·         Peter Grimes , by Britten (1945)

·         Four Last Songs , by Richard Strauss (1948)

·         Le marteau sans maître , by Pierre Boulez (1955)

·         Atmosphères , by Gyorgy Ligeti (1961)

·         Sinfonia , by Luciano Berio (1969)

·         Black Angels , by George Crumb (1970)

·         Rothko Chapel , by Morton Feldman (1971)

·         Music for 18 Musicians , by Steve Reich (1976)

·         Symphony of Sorrowful Songs , by Henryk Gorecki (1976)

·         Asyla , by Thomas Adès (1997)

·         Orion , by Kaija Saariaho (2002)

·         Partita for 8 Voices, by Caroline Shaw (2012)

·         Become Ocean , by John Luther Adams (2013)

Remember, the point of a personal statement is to be personal. Professors are looking for applicants who can demonstrate certain abilities, but how you gain those abilities and how you exhibit them in your personal statement and at interview is completely up to you and should be determined by your interests. Studying music at Cambridge or Oxford is an incredible experience.

Good luck, and happy reading and listening!

Looking for a Cambridge or Oxford Music Personal Statement Writing Tutor or Support For Your Wider Oxbridge Music Application?

Music Degree Personal Statement Support

U2’s Oxbridge-educated mentors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in a Music personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidates own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.

Oxbridge Music Mentoring

U2 offers wider Oxbridge Mentoring programmes (book a free consultation to discuss options). We have a large team of Oxford and Cambridge Music tutors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates.

The Process:

1) We suggest a Cambridge or Oxford Music graduate as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Music at Oxford and Cambridge University, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation and preparation for the interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application, including test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular Oxbridge Music application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview - this may sometimes stretch to First Year Undergraduate. Mentors ensure each student refines their interests, and is exposed to a range of new concepts, guiding students in their reading and wider subject exploration. Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during interview and honing critical discussion and analytical skills for interview.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our Oxbridge mock interview days. Honing the skills necessary to succeed for Oxbridge ideally requires long-term preparation and mentoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the very best Oxbridge has produced.

Sessions from £75/h.

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How to Draft a Creative Music Grad School Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Are you considering pursuing a graduate degree in music? Writing a personal statement for your application can be an intimidating task. It is, after all, the one piece of writing that will give admissions officers insight into who you are as a person and musician.

Let’s dive into how to write an effective music grad school personal statement without further ado.

Steps to Writing a Music Grad School Personal Statement

Brainstorming.

Before you begin writing your personal statement , it’s essential to take some time to brainstorm. Reflect on why you want to pursue a graduate music degree in the first place. Consider what experiences have led you to this point—what has been meaningful for you about past musical endeavors? What made those experiences unique or special? What do you hope to experience in the future after attending grad school?

Explaining Your Passion

Your personal statement should also explain how your passion for music has evolved and how it drives your decision-making process . You may choose to discuss any challenges faced along the way or successes achieved that demonstrate a solid commitment to the art.

Providing Specifics

It is essential to be as specific and detailed as possible when writing your personal statement. This will give admissions officers a better understanding of who you are as an individual and musician. Try to include specific examples from past experiences demonstrating why you are uniquely qualified for the program. State how your skill set has grown over time.

Once you’ve completed the first draft of your personal statement, it’s time to do some editing! Read through it carefully, looking for any typos or errors in grammar or punctuation. Ensure the content is clear and concise—you don’t want to overwhelm the reader with too much information. Finally, review it for style to ensure that the tone and voice are consistent throughout the statement.

Music Grad School Personal Statement Examples

I have been passionate about music my entire life. As a child, I was constantly listening to and playing various instruments. After attending Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos performance, I was deeply inspired and decided to pursue music as my career path.

I attended college and earned a degree in Music Performance, where I honed my skills as a musician. I performed with many renowned ensembles during this time and developed close relationships with experienced musicians worldwide. My education has given me an appreciation for all genres of music, but classical music truly drives my passion for performing.

Now that I am ready to pursue a graduate degree in music, I am looking to expand my knowledge and skill set. A graduate program would provide me with the opportunity to learn from accomplished mentors. It will give access resources that will allow me to pursue unique performance opportunities.

My love for music began when I was very young. I started singing at an early age and eventually progressed to playing several instruments, including piano, guitar, and drums. Music has always been an outlet for me—not just as a means of expression but also as a way of understanding myself better.

I have had the privilege of studying with some fantastic musicians throughout my collegiate career. My professors have always encouraged me to push myself beyond my comfort zone and have helped shape me into the musician I am today. After receiving my undergraduate degree in Music Performance, I am ready to take the next step and pursue a graduate degree. This will help to expand my knowledge of music theory and composition.

Grad school will open up many unique opportunities for me as an aspiring musician. I am excited to learn from experienced teachers and peers who can help me reach new heights as an artist. I can achieve great things in this field with hard work, dedication, and commitment.

Final Thoughts

Writing a personal statement for music grad school is no small feat! However, take the time to brainstorm, explain your passion, provide specifics from past experiences, and edit thoroughly. You can craft a compelling personal statement that will make a great impression on admissions officers .

Good luck with your application process!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Music Personal Statements Example

Sample statement.

I love music but I also enjoy a challenge. That is why I have decided to focus on music as my future career rather than just a way to relax. I have had an instinctive feel for playing music, singing and moving to music since I was a small child and I have enjoyed training to improve my skills and to make my playing and singing a pleasure for others. That has not always been easy. It’s a lot of hard work at times but the rewards for sticking with it are very worthwhile.

A university course in music is the next natural step for me and I realise that it won’t be easy. It will be an opportunity to grow as a musician and I look forward to being able to immerse myself in music and to develop my skills both on a personal and academic level. Music for me is relaxing but it is that all-encompassing relaxation that comes with the self-discipline required to practice and improve. Learning to play a musical instrument can be torture, but getting through the difficult stages and learning to make the instrument sound good is so satisfying.

Music needs determination, commitment and skill to be able to make it sound good, but being able to apply your musical achievements to build a career also needs a thorough grounding in the music industry. I want to focus on expanding my musical skills and knowledge but also on where it can take me in the future. Studying at university level seems a very natural next step.

I have looked for music courses that allow flexibility and that will give me the widest experience and appreciation for different types of music and different ways of making it. I want to learn the technical knowledge too, building on my experience with music software I have already been using.

College has been a positive experience for me and I am lucky to have been within an environment that was encouraging and challenging at the same time. My music teachers provided the push we needed to achieve our best but were also realistic in the deadlines that they set. This has made me able to cope well with time pressure and I work consistently and well to finish set tasks, which has given me added confidence. I have a high natural ability, with a good ear, timing and good rhythmic skills but I have learned to become a polished performer and to work well within a group.

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Music Personal Statement

Sample Music Personal Statement

My first public performance, humble though it was (I played the role of ‘troll’ in a nursery Christmas show), vividly imprinted itself on my mind and forms one of my earliest memories. Singing lessons allowed me to expand my repertoire somewhat and my naturally sociable nature saw me joining my first school choir. Here, I realised with wonder that I could cooperate within a large team to create beautiful harmonies, in addition to taking on many solo parts. Thanks to these, I was even offered one of the hotly-contested places in our local cathedral choir. Entertaining became second nature and I gave many impromptu staffroom shows at the request of teachers. Singing at the head’s retirement ceremony to an audience of nearly three hundred, I was not at all daunted and actually remember feeling disappointment that the whole school of eight hundred plus could not be in attendance! Positive and motivated, receiving praise for my performances has always buoyed my ambition to pursue a career in the field of musical theatre. It has not, however, overinflated my ego or given me false confidence, as nothing is as rewarding or truthful to me as seeing the enjoyment on the faces of my audience.

Elected onto the high school council, I represented my fellow pupils through clear, precise communication skills and a talent for persuasive speech-making. This led in turn to my being put forward to compete in several categories in the school’s annual Eisteddfod. Calling on my experience of drama festivals and examinations (I hold L.A.M.D.A. and Guildhall certificates for both group and solo performances) I was pleased to win honours for my house. Involving myself in the wider life of my school helped me to make many friends and I was a valued participant in the drama club, later acting as a mentor for younger members. I excel in such roles, as I am a great motivator who draws the best from others with patient perseverance; I have an autistic sister and this has taught me to cope with balancing varied demands. During the A-level drama exams, I volunteered providing backstage support with lighting, props and make-up, testifying to my proactive attitude. I have always felt driven to stretch myself and, when applying to join the new Young Actors Studio at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, I chose my own audition pieces and imposed a strict rehearsal schedule. This audition met with success and I was amazed to find that I was the youngest student ever accepted to study at R.W.C.M.D. Their dynamic course (attended on a weekly basis for two years) instilled me with terrific understanding of the craft of acting. I also progressed greatly with my singing, being encouraged to write original material that I am proud to say is now in use on my diploma course.

Hardworking and methodical in approach, I expect to achieve a UCAS rating of 200. My commitment and drive to complete every task I set my mind to is best demonstrated by my success in such notorious challenges as the Duke of Edinburgh awards. My spare time is spent in fun performance projects such as singing with an amateur rock band and volunteering at a local youth organisation where all types of performances are showcased. Supporting other young artists, I hand out flyers, sell programmes and take on the role of usher. I also never underestimate the importance of offering constructive criticism and moral support. When singing at a holiday-camp show aged twelve, I was filmed by a guest who professed to be securing ‘early years footage’ for when I became famous. I am fully determined not to let her down on this front, but any career in the entertainment industry would be fulfilling for me. I am serious in my dedication to your course, seeing it as the crucial next step in expanding my skills and developing expertise. The field that I have chosen is competitive but I know that it is where I truly belong and I am keenly prepared to face many trials on the journey to reach my full potential.

We hope this sample Music personal statement has been helpful for you.

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Music in Personal Statement

• Thread starter Leraine
• Start date Jan 22, 2011

• Jan 22, 2011

Full Member

Leraine said: I'm faced with a prompt: "Identify four of your major interests and describe how these have shaped your character and will contribute to your success as a physician" One of the interests I have chosen is music, as it is a very large part of my life, but I cannot think of how music could possibly contribute to my success as a physician. I know that music has been used as therapy in some cases, but honestly I do not intend to involve music in my future practice of medicine, but it is still a major part of my life. I am just completely confused as to how to approach this. Could anyone spare some insight? Thanks in advance! Click to expand...

Charles_Carmichael

Think about the discipline and self-motivation that it takes to become proficient at playing an instrument. It takes a lot of hard work and determination. Can you see how having a strong sense of discipline, self-motivation, etc, can be useful for a physician and physician-in-training? The question isn't asking about how these interests are going to be incorporated into medical therapy...you're reading it wrong. It's asking about the traits you gained from these interests and how they'll help you become a successful physician.  

A Gimlet Eye

Kaushik said: Think about the discipline and self-motivation that it takes to become proficient at playing an instrument. It takes a lot of hard work and determination. Can you see how having a strong sense of discipline, self-motivation, etc, can be useful for a physician and physician-in-training? Click to expand...

hownowmauvecow

Mauve is the new brown.

I talked about music extensively in my PS and surprisingly it was the topic that most interviewers wanted to talk the most about. If you truly believe that music was a large part of your journey to deciding you wanted to be a doctor (for me it was the things that being a musician taught me) then by all means include it. It also might make you seem more rounded.  

Unofficial Froopyland Forum Mod.

The discipline+self motivation idea did not occur to me at all before, possibly because I never felt like I had to consciously motivate myself to do something I loved so much. Thank you for your ideas everyone!  

Oracle of the Sheet

WingedOx said: when I read the title of this, I kept thinking of a personal statement that plays embedded MIDI music in the background when you download it. Click to expand...

• Jan 23, 2011

I talked about music in my PS: how music has always been a part of my life from playing the piano at 6 to the choirs that I currently sing in. It has been a creative outlet where I can collaborate with others, share beauty with an audience, and retreat from day-to-day stresses. Both of my interviewers specifically asked about it. And I would strongly disagree with ilton's assessment that unless it's THE reason you are going to medical school, don't include it. My recommendation is don't get hung up on the part of the prompt that asks how music will make you a successful doctor and instead think of how music makes you a good/interesting/successful person . The school wants to know that you have a personality and interests outside of science/medicine, and talking about your passion for music is a great way to let them know you're interesting.  

• Jan 24, 2011

ORMD said: I talked about music in my PS: how music has always been a part of my life from playing the piano at 6 to the choirs that I currently sing in. It has been a creative outlet where I can collaborate with others, share beauty with an audience, and retreat from day-to-day stresses. Both of my interviewers specifically asked about it. And I would strongly disagree with ilton's assessment that unless it's THE reason you are going to medical school, don't include it. My recommendation is don't get hung up on the part of the prompt that asks how music will make you a successful doctor and instead think of how music makes you a good/interesting/successful person . The school wants to know that you have a personality and interests outside of science/medicine, and talking about your passion for music is a great way to let them know you're interesting. Click to expand...

normtheniner

• Feb 17, 2011

My personal statement's intro was about my musical interests and how it enhanced my creativity and passion for life-long learning. Like medicine, there are no boundaries in music and we as musicians or physicians must explore the unknown.  

the evil queen of numbers

Endolas said: I was imagining sending in a demo tape with your app, but I guess putting it that was makes me sound old. Click to expand...

Kaushik said: Think about the discipline and self-motivation that it takes to become proficient at playing an instrument. It takes a lot of hard work and determination. Can you see how having a strong sense of discipline, self-motivation, etc, can be useful for a physician and physician-in-training? The question isn't asking about how these interests are going to be incorporated into medical therapy...you're reading it wrong. It's asking about the traits you gained from these interests and how they'll help you become a successful physician. Click to expand...

Depending on how you approached your study of music (i.e. creatively, not just mechanically playing what you're supposed to), I think the study of any art can be applicable. Medicine is after all an art: the application of scientific principles in attempting to heal another human being (I'm guessing it takes both creativity and logic). As others have said, creativity is an important aspect to show. Do admission committees really want to read another personal statement about how you shadowed a physician then liked what you saw or how much you love science? Obviously be honest, but let those aspects that make you more interesting come through.  

runawayclock

I'd echo the above people who said talking about music is a good thing (as long as you can show that medicine is the #1 thing, not music). I included my painting and photography portfolio in a lot of the secondary applications and I ended up talking about that a lot at my interviews. I brought some stuff I was working on the one of my interviews (and ended up getting accepted a week later!). Who knows if it was a deciding factor at all, but anything to set you apart from every other pre-med is generally a good thing. Also, I'm guessing it's SUNY upstate from the prompt? I talked about my art stuff a lot with my student interviewer there (not so much the faculty interviewer) so i can't imagine that it would hurt you!  

• Apr 16, 2014

Bump! Could anyone else comment about how to effectively incorporate ones passion for playing a musical instrument into the personal statement? Also in reference to what Lizzy M said, I myself make youtube covers and song tutorials with my instrument. Is it really a good idea to include the link in my application?  

HealthHare said: 1) Could anyone else comment about how to effectively incorporate ones passion for playing a musical instrument into the personal statement? 2) Also in reference to what Lizzy M said, I myself make youtube covers and song tutorials with my instrument. Is it really a good idea to include the link in my application? Click to expand...

Student of Mad Doctoring

• Apr 17, 2014

music2doc said: One word: YES! Like women, medical schools like musicians. -------------------------------- ^love Click to expand...

Messier83 said: Somewhat agree. Women will will probably like the guy nonchalantly strumming his guitar or the suave gentleman dropping a mozart sonata on a piano, but a guy maxing out on a tuba... Not so much Click to expand...

WillburCobb

I am the pull out king.

music2doc said: Nobody likes the tuba , but the sax player maxin' it out... Click to expand...

• Apr 18, 2014

music2doc said: Nobody likes the tuba, but the sax player maxin' it out... Click to expand...

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Lauryn Hill Says U.S. Tour Was Called Off Due to Low Ticket Sales — Which She Attributes to Media Sensationalizing of Her Canceled Shows Last Year

By Chris Willman

Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

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A day after a U.S. reunion tour for Lauryn Hill and the Fugees was canceled and tickets refunded without immediate explanation, the singer issued a statement late Wednesday giving her reasons for the outing being called off, attributing it to low ticket sales. Hill believes she knows why sales were suffering: because of what she calls “clickbait headlines” after she previously canceled the final stretch of a tour last fall.

In Hill’s view, the “sensationalizing” of the canceled dates in late 2023 created a climate in which fans were reluctant to buy tickets for the 2024 tour, which was to have begun this Friday.

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She explains: “Last year, I faced an injury that necessitated the rescheduling of some of my shows. Regrettably, some media outlets’ penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour. The trust and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seem to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal.”

In contrast to the state of affairs in the U.S., she exults over the shows still to come in Europe, writing: “The audiences in the UK and Europe not only haven’t seen the Miseducation Anniversary performance yet, they also haven’t seen the Fugees perform together in over 25 years!”

Returning to her regrets over the canceled U.S. gigs, Hill says: “Performing for my fans is a profound exchange of energy and emotion that excites me every time. Every show is a piece of my expression and testament to our connection and shared love for music. I can assure you that no one is more disappointed about not being able to perform than I am.”

Hill makes a vow to perform in the U.S. again, pending some change in the climate that will allow for a more robust ticketing onpsale. “We’re looking forward to performing at the shows in the UK and Europe in October — and for our fans in North America, when these unforeseen circumstances are resolved, we’ll be back in full force.”

She signs the message “With Love, Respect and Honesty.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ms. Lauryn Hill (@mslaurynhill)

When Hill and the Fugees embarked on a reunion tour in late 2023, many of the arena shows played to full houses, and reviews were generally positive — with most fans taking it for granted that the concerts would start late and end after midnight, as is Hill’s custom. ( Variety included one of the tour’s L.A. stops, at the Kia Forum, in a list of the best concerts of 2023 .)

But the last part of the tour was called off, with vocal problems cited as the reason. “As many of you may know, I’ve been battling serious vocal strain for the past month,” she said in a Nov. 22, 2023 statement. “I made it through each show by taking prescribed prednisone, but this can be detrimental to the body when taken in large amounts over long periods of time. In order to prevent any long term negative affect on my voice and my body, I need to take time off to allow for real vocal recovery so that I can discontinue the medication completely.”

Hill’s reasons for canceling then struck many fans as legitimate, just as they seemed to be when she and the Fugees canceled a previous tour in January 2022, citing hesitancy about going out while the COVID virus was still active. But the collective history of cancellations over the years led to some widespread skepticism on social media about the likelihood of dates being fulfilled — perhaps creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, if Hill is right about that being the reason for the low sales that brought this year’s tour to a halt.

Other factors may have impacted the turnout for Hill/Fugees tickets, though. Live industry analysts have noted a softer market for touring in general this year, pointing out that the number of tickets being sold in 2024 is down from their historic peak in 2023 — although grosses have stayed roughly even, just as a result of the biggest sellout tours commanding higher prices.

The Hill/Fugees tour was set to begin on Friday in Tampa, with the American leg climaxing at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 17 and with shows in New York and New Jersey on Sept. 20-21. Other cities that were scheduled on the itinerary included Atlanta, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston and Milwaukee.

The overseas leg of the tour that will go on as scheduled begins in Dublin Oct. 7 and ends in Hamburg on Nov. 1, with gigs in London, Manchester, Stockholm, Paris and other cities in-between. 

“You’re saying ‘She’s late. She’s late a lot’,” she told the L.A. crowd. “Yo, y’all lucky I make it on this … stage every night. … I don’t do it because they let me do it. I do it because I stand here in the name of God and I do it. God is the one who allows me to do it, who surrounded me with family and community when there was no support… When [the debut] sold so many records, no one showed up and said, ‘Hey, would you like to make another one?’ So I went around the world, and I played the same album over and over and over and over again. Because we are survivors, and we’re not just survivors, we’re thrivers.”

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UK riots latest: Thousands take part in anti-racism protests; petrol bomb thrown at mosque in 'racially motivated' incident

Police are on high alert this weekend amid concerns over more disorder breaking out as protests take place across the country. In Northern Ireland, police are investigating a "racially motivated" attack on a mosque.

Saturday 10 August 2024 23:00, UK

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That's all our coverage on this story for now. 

Thousands of anti-racism protesters have descended on cities across the country - outnumbering anti-immigration demonstrators for the fourth day in a row. 

Before we go, here's a recap of the main updates from the last 24 hours: 

• A court in Liverpool has heard how a 16-year-old stole £19,000 worth of vapes during riots in the city centre last week;
• A petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Northern Ireland in an incident described by police as racially motivated. The mosque in Newtownards, County Down, was attacked at around 1am, with graffiti sprayed on its front door;
• Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor, has been remanded in custody ahead of a crown court appearance over publishing written material intended to stir up racial hatred;
• Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned the impact of the riots on the judicial system will be felt for years to come;
• The parents of six-year-old Bebe King, who was killed in the Southport stabbings, have paid tribute to their "precious daughter" and revealed her older sister saw the attack and escaped. 

Police have been granted enhanced stop and search powers in part of Yeovil tonight.

Avon and Somerset Police said the powers allow officers to search people who they consider "at risk of violence", without reasonable suspicion. 

The force said the technique has already resulted in arrests being made this evening. 

It comes after it reported a small number of people had gathered in the grounds of a church for a peaceful demonstration. 

Four men have been charged following the riots in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough last week. 

Cleveland Police said a 24-year-old man had been charged with burglary over the unrest in Middlesbrough last Sunday. 

Another 24 year-old was charged with violent disorder and a 27-year-old was charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. 

A 19-year-old was charged with violent disorder in relation to the riots in Hartlepool on 31 July. 

All four men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court on Monday. 

The impact of the riots could be felt for months or years to come, the justice secretary has warned. 

Writing a piece for The Observer, Shabana Mahmood said the justice system has shown it can act swiftly, but its work has been made more difficult due to the state it was left in by the Conservatives. 

Courts have been working extended hours to deal with rioters who were charged by police during the week-long disorder. 

"The justice system has shown it can rise to this challenge. Should further criminality and disorder ensue, we will continue to deliver justice, until the last offender languishes in one of our jails," Ms Mahmood said. 

"But we must make no mistake. Rising to this challenge has been made harder by doing so within the justice system we inherited from the Conservatives." 

She pointed out that there are "record crown court backlogs" and prisons "close to overflowing". 

"The impact of these days of disorder will be felt for months and years to come. They make the job of rebuilding the justice system harder," she added. 

The parents of a six-year-old girl who was killed in the Southport stabbings have paid tribute to their "precious daughter" and revealed her older sister saw the attack and escaped.

Bebe King died along with nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, after the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the Merseyside town on 29 July.

The deaths of the three girls sparked anti-immigration protests and riots across UK towns and cities after false information circulated on social media that the attacker was an illegal migrant.

In a statement issued by Merseyside Police, Bebe's parents Lauren and Ben said their daughter "was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore".

They revealed their nine-year-old older Genie witnessed the attack and managed to escape, saying: "She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her.

You can read more about this story here ...

Photos of three men have been released by police as they continue to investigate the disorder that broke out in Whitehall last week. 

Metropolitan Police said more than 100 arrests were made at the protest on Wednesday 31 July. 

However, in the days that followed, a huge amount of footage and other evidence has been reviewed to try to identify outstanding suspects, it added. 

It urged people who recognise any of the three men to get in touch or contact Crimestoppers. 

Sky News understands Sir Keir Starmer has cancelled his holiday as protests continue to take place across the country. 

Thousands of police officers have remained on duty today in case violence flared again. 

But, for a fourth day in a row, anti-racism protesters far outnumbered far-right demonstrators in several areas. 

A dispersal order has been enforced in Liverpool city centre today and will remain in place for 48 hours. 

It also covers parts of Everton, Kensington, Vauxhall and Kirkdale. 

Merseyside Police said it had been introduced "following incidents of disorder". 

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Chris Taylor said: "This order will give officers on the ground the ability to direct people suspected of being involved in or planning criminality to leave the designated area for a period of 48 hours, and to arrest them if they return." 

A Section 60 order, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers, is already in place in the area. 

"Both orders are extra tools at our disposal to help keep the public safe, and highly visible police patrols will enforce them in the next 48 hours," Mr Taylor said. 

A total of 779 people have been arrested over rioting, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has said. 

Of those, 349 have been charged, it added. 

Suspected rioters have continued to appear in court today, including the wife of a Tory councillor who has been accused of publishing written material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Lucy Connolly, 41, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning and did not enter a plea.

The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for "spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale".

Across the country, teams have been investigating "hundreds of leads".

"This abhorrent activity didn't happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn't mobilise spontaneously," said Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime. 

"It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport.

"They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps."

The leader of Newcastle City Council has said he is "angry" that some residents were made to "feel unsafe" by "right wing agitators". 

In a post on Facebook, Councillor Nick Kemp praised police for their work in the city, and urged people to stay "united". 

Protests organised by Enough Is Enough have been taking place today, but passed without any violence or disorder breaking out.

"Northumbria Police have done a phenomenal job in preparing for today and their swift actions throughout the entire week have acted as a deterrent," Cllr Kemp said. 

"Across the country, we have seen right wing agitators looking to divide our city and sow seeds of hatred. Today, Newcastle showed them what we are about.

"However, I am angry that they have made some of our residents feel unsafe. That their actions have caused doubt among those who call our city home."

You can read his full statement below... 

We are here, we are listening, and we are ready to act 🤝 That is the message from our Leader, Cllr Nick Kemp, who says... Posted by Newcastle City Council on  Saturday, August 10, 2024

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Postgraduate music school personal statement example.

Performing and teaching euphonium has been my dream since I was young. I had great fortunate to be the first euphonium major in Taiwan. This wonderful opportunity helped me to have a unique musical career as an undergraduate student because I gained professional experience teaching and performing domestically and internationally.

When I was at the University of North Texas, it was important for me to bring together euphonium players from the different countries. My study with Brian Bowman made me be a stronger performer and refined my teaching skills. Thus, I became a successful low brass instrumental freelancer in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Brian Bowman's instruction to me was the accuracy of playing the musical language, as well as to be trained as a stronger soloist. Other relevant pedagogy courses influenced my teaching skills which helped many students in my studio win awards in state and regional solo contests.

The last week of April 2008 was an important event in my life. The tuba faculty Daniel Perantoni at Indiana University phoned me to tell me that there was an immediate opening in M. Dee Stewart's studio. I was so fortunate to have this late audition and admitted to the Indiana University, Jacob School of Music.

Under the instruction of M. Dee Stewart, I began to focus on music performance and that a great artist has the knowledge of manipulating music in switching multiple colors and shaping the music phrases. Another important concept that influenced me, was that wind performers have to focus on the efficiency of using our air.

While I was at Indiana University, I associated with other wonderful musicians and used their great facilities of the University. Thus, I experienced performing euphonium with stringed instruments and accompanied silent films. In short, my graduate studies not only helped me be a better teacher, but also helped me be a better stage artist.

While I was a doctoral student at the University of Utah, my master degree from Indiana University gave me advantages of conducting master classes and performing professional recitals in the neighborhood universities.

Most important of all, I was invited to perform as a soloist in the International Tuba Euphonium Association South West Regional Conference. I showed off my creativities of combining euphonium with stringed instruments. My program involved a new trio for euphonium, violin and a piano. This world premier repertory changed audience mind sets about the euphonium as a solo instrument.

My ultimate goal of studying in the doctoral program at the University of Houston is to be a music scholar and a performer. The University of Houston has a worldwide reputation of assisting students’ research liberally. Moreover, University of Houston has great studying and learning resources which will make me to discover more interesting subjects to benefit my stage performance and written publications.

While I was in Texas, I had a great experience of teaching young players and this important financial support and professional experience will help me focus on academic study. Additionally, the University of Houston has great funding to help students to study and I believe my professional experience meet the requirements to gain the scholarship necessary to finish my degree.

Beside research and financial resources, Texas has so many neighborhood universities for me to present professional recitals and clinics which will strengthen my resume and help me to compete for various college teaching positions.

In short, studying at the University of Houston will provide the strong resources and connections to help my career. I would like to be loyal to this great university and enjoy studying with great faculties and collaborating with other students. I am looking forward the opportunity of attending this university and being able to contribute my talent and efforts.

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This personal statement was written by [email protected] for application in 2008.

[email protected]'s Comments

This was my document to apply my doctoral program. I feel honest to tell who I am and convince committee members to admit me and award me scholarships.

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Wed, 14/08/2013 - 12:42

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