By Adam Stinchcombe, (1st year, Music)
What does a typical day studying music at Keble look like?
- As is the case with many courses, a typical day studying music can look quite different depending on the workload and/or the modules you choose to take. But, generally, the day will start with breakfast, which you can pick up from Hall, and a lecture or two, which, post-COVID, will be held at the Music Faculty. These lectures are organised into the different modules which are offered, and, although non-compulsory, provide a good basis for what you will discuss in tutorials when you have them. These lectures will be followed by reading, planning or writing the essays due for that week’s tutorials. In first year, it is typical to have two to three tutorials a week, usually culminating in about two essays and some short pieces of composition each week. First years will get one tutorial a week on the compulsory ‘analysis’ module, as well as tutorials on the special topics which they are interested in taking for prelims (end of first-year exams), each of which last for three weeks at a time. This makes sure you get a decent amount of time to explore some of the special topics which you might consider opting for. Following this, you might grab some lunch from Hall with your friends, or, because microwaves are allowed in student rooms at Keble, cook in your own room. After lunch, depending on which modules you opt for, this would be followed either by practise on the instrument which you might take for the performance module, work on any compositional projects for the composition module, or you would practise your keyboard skills and score-reading. All musicians at Keble are provided with electronic keyboards for their rooms for this, or you can easily book one of the many practise rooms available to practise in. By this time you’ll probably be wanting to eat dinner which you can get from Hall, or you can cook yourself or get a delivery with your friends! The evening is when you’ll have the most free time, which you can use differently every day, from exercising to socialising. On the other hand, if you are especially busy one day, then the evening is a good opportunity to finish up the following day’s work, or if you just need some time to plan the following week. But remember, it’s really important to have some downtime, so you could use this time to watch TV or listen to music, before going to sleep.
Why do you like studying music at Keble?
- Keble is a great college to study at, for music students as well as just in general. Aside from the friendly people and the great architecture, as most first-years are accommodated together, you will feel part of a proper community. Keble is one of the biggest colleges in Oxford, and has many popular facilities for students, including multiple music practise rooms, a theatre, a well-equipped JCR (Junior common room), gym, student bar and so much more. Keble is also fantastically situated within Oxford, being only ten minutes’ walk away from the city centre, whilst also being right next to university parks. In terms of music study, Keble only takes two music students per year, which means that you will benefit from smaller tutorial groups, ensuring you form close relationships with your tutors and tutorial partner.
Personal statement advice
- Definitely the most important thing to convey is your enthusiasm. Choose to write about something which you know you find interesting (and that you know you won't get bored discussing it in a possible interview situation). Showing that you have read around a particular issue is also really important too, as it highlights your interest in doing independent investigation. It is also vital to show links (if you can) between the subjects you have studied at A-Level (or equivalent) and highlight how these subjects have attributed to skills which can be applied to studying music at degree level.
Admissions test advice
- Although there is no formal admissions ‘test’ for music, if you are invited to interview at Oxford then you will be asked to do an audition on your chosen instrument. Within this audition, it is really important that you choose a piece of music you are obviously good at playing – perhaps one which you have performed before in front of an audience or as part of a graded exam. And remember to try not to panic too much about the audition itself! I know it’s easier said than done, but the tutors do not want to critique your playing – they are just interested in seeing what you have to offer, which is why it is much wiser to choose a piece which you know well and have experience with.
Interview advice
- It is very normal to feel apprehensive about the interview process – I certainly was. But, although they seem scary, all an interview is, is you being lucky enough to have the opportunity to have an interesting discussion with experts about a subject you both have a passion for. The purpose of the interviews is for you to show that you are able to hold an insightful discussion like you would have to do in a tutorial setting. The interviews are not meant to be easy – it is normal to leave an interview and feel like you’ve been academically pushed. Because of this, you may encounter ideas or concepts that you haven’t experienced before. This is completely normal – the tutors understand that you are not yet a degree-level student, and they are looking for how you can apply your current knowledge to new situations. Don’t worry about being right all the time – they want to know that you have learnt something, so even if you get something wrong, make sure you think out loud and explain your thought processes, which will prove that you can keep an open mind and that you are able to learn.