PROGRESSION ROUTE (UPDATED)

Since I last wrote about my progression route, I have completely changed what I would like to do when I leave college. In September, University wasn’t an option for me due to personal reasons, but now my circumstances have changed, and I would like to study music journalism at Brighton University which will be my first choice.

The universities that I am going to apply for are:

- Brighton

- Bristol

- Manchester

- Liverpool

- Essex

I feel I would be the perfect candidate to study music journalism at BIMM Brighton, or any of my other university choices, because I have a passion for music and writing. As well as currently studying for a music diploma, last year, I achieved the best grade in the United Kingdom for my English Language GCSE. As well as the course I am studying, I feel moving out and away from home will allow me to gain independence and broaden my horizons to see that there is a future outside of Oxford.

I also currently work at Waitrose, and have been for almost two years. I have spoken to my manager and she agreed that where ever I go to university, they will transfer me from the Oxford branch to the local branch closest to the uni of my choice. That way, I will have the opportunity to still earn money, save, and have a decent social life.

Here is my personal statement:

Conforming to the rules of society have never really appealed to me; working from Monday to Friday, for forty hours a week, in a boring job, and never being able to reach my full potential as a musician or writer. Instead, I want to travel, express my creativity and have a life full of great memories. I believe music journalism will provide me with just that.

I am a music performance and production student at City of Oxford college. I decided to study this course because I have a passion for music and wanted to expand my knowledge of the subject. Within the course, I am part of a funk band, as co-lead vocalist and pianist. Being part of a band includes attending rehearsals, performing gigs, and recording, mixing and mastering, our own original music in the college recording studio. As well as this I attend music production and academic lessons in which we learn about recording techniques, music theory, music history, and live sound. Both within this course and my part-time job at Waitrose which I have been in for almost two years, I regularly work as part of a diverse team, with people of all ages and backgrounds. Through the understanding that I have gained from this, I feel as though I would be adequately prepared for work within the wider media industry, and more specifically within music journalism.

Many extra-curricular activities I participated in have encouraged me to want to study this course, including being part of a creative writing group “First Story”, in which I got my work published into an anthology and being a lead character in “Annie” the musical. Specifically, I am interested in cultural perspectives of the music industry, artist development, and global communication through journalism, which I have done some personal research on, and have touched upon during academic lessons. As well as this, I did work experience and have recorded music at SAE Institute which gave me the opportunity to explore several aspects of the industry including music business and production.

Having been a young carer for most of my life, raising my four younger sisters, as well as regularly tutoring my sister throughout her GCSEs and helping out at college open events, I feel I would be much more than a reliable candidate, but a dedicated and passionate one, too.

One of my greatest achievements was getting the highest grade in the UK for English Language, which I worked extremely hard for. This has significantly influenced my life dream to write for Rolling Stone magazine.

During my free time, I do photography and regularly attend and perform gigs and festivals. I am grade 6 in both piano and vocals, and have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Waddesdon Festival and my band are performing at the O2 in May. All of which is recorded on my personal music blog.

Now that I am confident I have found the career I was destined for, my whole future makes sense. This is the next logical part of my life and the right path to follow. Combining my passion of music, creative writing and attending music events, there is nothing else I would rather do in the future than be a music journalist.