Inspiration for all!

This is a post from the weareoca.com archive. Information contained within it may now be out of date.
 
Reflections on the Birmingham Conservatoire Study Visit
OCA students and staff joined colleagues from Birmingham Conservatoire for a day of rehearsals, debate and reflection, culminating in a concert to mark tutor Andy Glover’s recent birthday.

Such study visits are an opportunity for inspiration to all. Whether student, performer, composer or tutor, you never know what nugget you’ll pick up on; unlocking new creative pathways that you can carry into your own work.
Students have already been discussing the visit on the forums and, in order to further discussion and insight of the experience, some of those in attendance have shared their reflections. Firstly, the composer Andy Glover:
“When we were planning my 50^th Birthday Concert in Birmingham, I wanted to expand the experience for OCA and Conservatoire students so that they could see the rehearsals, hear from the composer and performers and participate in an open discussion.  Above all I wanted those attending to have a fulfilling, rewarding and educational day where they would take something back with them and hopefully apply something of what they had experienced in their own work and study.
I analysed what would be the best way to approach this and, as I had some great musicians premiering the works being played, I figured it would be best if I spoke about the ideas behind the works and what made them tick and also explore how the performers interpret these ideas in a performance situation. I invited students to ask questions of myself and the performers during the rehearsals, so that they could glean ideas of how composers and performers work together (or don’t!). I asked the pianist to give an honest comment on the works, how he approached these performances, and what he liked or disliked about playing the music. This I hoped would encourage the students to be part of the process of the day.
By approaching the study visit in this way I sought to avoid the pitfalls of appearing either self-congratulatory or overly self critical and give an honest account of influences and how things work – or not. The life and working ways of musicians and composers is a strange one for outsiders to comprehend but it is a fascinating and great life, and made especially rich by days such as this.
The composer’s work is done when the interpretation is decided; but the musicians’ work is not done until the end of the performance. It was the happy middle ground that we shared and explored on the 30^th April – the end product of many long hours alone writing (in my case) and practising (in the performers’ case).
I would like to think that all the students and staff gained something from the day and I look forward to hopefully doing this sort of thing in the near future with yet more students in attendance.”
Andy’s closing remark is very much echoed by all in attendance, and enthusiastically summed up by student Charlotte: “[The] OCA needs to run more study days like this. It is very rare I get to attend a concert of contemporary music but to have the added benefit of the composer present, talking and willing to answer questions – it was well worth the trip.”
Being able to attend the rehearsal prior to the concert was also felt to be a tremendously beneficially experience. As Anita put it: “During rehearsal time we were able to talk with Andy Glover about the practicalities of working with musicians – good communication enabling the best performance of a work to be heard. Charles Matthews (the pianist) also spoke about having to work with the composer to agree changes to the work if the piece ends up being too difficult to play, though sometimes pushing the boundaries is good both for composer and musician.”
The work put into the rehearsal and performances by pianist Charles Matthews was another aspect of the study day which seemed to really impress all attendees. Even the composer himself marvelled at the ‘Wow!’ moment when he heard the works first realised; it was hard not to be impressed by the sheer dexterity and technical ability in the performances. Speaking of Glover’s ‘Piano Sonata No.2: Die Salzburg’, student Helmuts commented: “And what a beautiful, brilliant performance it was. I think Charles perfectly revealed [the] multifaceted character and dynamics of the sonata.”
The personal insights and frank observational points made by Andy during the day were both revealing and inspirational, giving rise to issues that affect students regardless of subject speciality  and particularly well put by Catherine: “As a drawing student at present, the light shed today on the issue of finding one’s voice was also very helpful.  Glover could pinpoint the moment that he found his, though he was unable to say precisely what had happened.  He said he suddenly became sure that he was composing for himself and not to fulfil someone else’s requirements.”
So, a day full of inspiration for all concerned! The final comment on the day comes from Anita, on another crucial benefit of study days that shouldn’t be forgotten: “It was so good to meet other composers from the Music courses. I have to admit that sharing with others ‘face to face’ is the one thing I miss about studying via distance learning, so study days are very important. This was the main reason that I took myself 200 miles on a train (had to go through London so as to get cheapest fare!) to Birmingham. Was I rewarded for my effort? Undoubtedly, yes.”

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