Personal Statement:Music 3

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I have had a keen interest in music since the age of seven. I've always enjoyed listening to all types of music, especially classical and jazz. Through my earlier years as a young apprentice musician, I focused mainly on classical music, as I started to play the violin at the age of eight. This was the beginning of my musical career. Since, I have been given numerous chances to play in shows and spectacles all over the country with school, one being a performance in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, and several solo performances in local theatres and town halls. During my time at Dominican College, I have been involved in at least two different major musical productions a year. In recent years I have been given responsibility in orchestras and bands. I have directed and conducted two string quartets for different shows and arranged several pieces for these performances.

Although I much enjoy playing, I enjoy composing a lot more. For my GCSE and AS level music compositions, I achieved full marks. I understand that a BMus or a BA in music allow you to choose options to focus on, such as composition and performance. I have chosen courses in good sized music departments, where I have a good choice of specialist options. I think I would like to focus on composition and music analysis, as these tend to be my present forte.

One of the other aspects of music I enjoy is teaching. I find it rewarding and fun to do. A music degree will enable me to keep my options open as to a career path.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Apart from playing the violin, I also play the piano. I gained Grade 3 in piano 4 years ago, but I haven't done any more exams since. I can play the piano at a grade 5-6 standard, and I tend to focus on jazz music and improvisation. My piano skills should be more than adequate for my university course.

Although I have done few 'grade' exams on violin, I am now playing at a grade 7-8 standard and I am working on several pastiches by Fritz Kreisler.

For my GCSE and AS level music compositions, I achieved full marks, which demonstrates my strong foundation in composition.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

For my work experience I chose to work with a peripatetic string tutor who worked for the NEELB music board. It lasted one week, and I enjoyed it immensely. The teacher gave me the chance to teach the students on my own. This gave me a real insight into teaching a wide range of different techniques to different levels of player. For example, I taught a girl in primary seven how to hold a bow properly, and I taught a boy in Form 4 how to play a chromatic scale. For two years I have been helping to teach at a local youth string orchestra on Tuesday evenings.

Apart from music, my other love is golf. I have played golf for about 3-4 years, and I have been a member of Portstewart Golf Club for three years. I started playing golf because I always had a keen interest in it, but previously had no opportunity to play. However, once I started, I was hooked! I play most weekends and last year I played in the Fred Daly team, an all Ireland competition for under 18s. I managed to help the team to the quarterfinals of the Ulster section. To date, I have won one of the club's 'majors', that being a match play tournament called the Moore-Brown challenge cup. At the moment, I play off a handicap of 7.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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