Hello and welcome to the Queen's Access podcast. It's so lovely to have you here.
And I hope you find this a useful resource in learning more about life at Oxford.
But more specifically about life at the Queen's College. My guests this week are Rachel Howe, a third Jaimie's student, Rhiannon Harris,
a second year music student, and Rowan Island, a third year studying fine arts.
We'll have a chat about the musical opportunities on offer at Queen's. My apologies for any poor audio.
These interviews have all been conducted over Zoome, and the Internet connexion isn't always completely reliable.
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Queen's website. I hope you enjoy.
Hi, everybody. Thank you so much for being here. I really, really appreciate your help.
And I'm sure you'll make really, really interesting guests. Thank you for being here.
If we could just start by each of you telling me a little bit about your queens, Danny.
So how did you end up in college, Rianne? And can you start us off, please?
Yeah. So I originally decided that I wanted to apply for a physics degree.
Decided that was a horrible idea. But by that point, I had missed the Oxford deadline for the year.
So end up taking a year out and teaching in a school for bit decided that music was what I really wanted
to do and then applied to Merton originally and got transferred to Queens during the admissions process.
I don't think I could have been put in a better place. Oh, lovely.
I'm really glad I'm glad your you're happy with where you ended up. Rachel, how about you?
We'll ask you a similar story to Rianna in any any that I originally saw.
I was going to apply for English and didn't think I was gonna fly to Oxbridge, then decided that was a horrible idea.
Because you have to read so many books and that was not me.
So I then took a gap year and I taught music in a school and I also studied three year music.
So I haven't done it at. I did. I'd be if I hadn't done it, I be.
And then I didn't intercede for Queens. And that's December, I suppose.
Yeah. I mean, that December and again and ended up at Queens.
And so, yes, it's kind of a weird, weird turn of events that got me have.
I'm definitely so glad that this is the place I ended up. Oh, fantastic.
And Rowan, how about you? I always wanted to study fine.
But I also always wanted to do a chorus at Oxford. So when it came to applications, I applied for the chorus scholarship first,
then for finals, and I was pleasantly surprised at every stage of the application process.
Oh, perfect. Okay. Thank you all so much. So let's start off with talking about music quite casually in college.
So, Rachel, as the outgoing president, can you tell me a little bit about the College Music Society, EMEA?
No, of course. Like so E.M.S. Stansel, the Eagles Skilled Musical Society.
And it is the oldest music society in Oxford. And it was founded 1842.
And we had to look back. Sadly, I didn't actually know that the still have my head.
And yes, it's it's a very prestigious society and it's based at Queen's, which is really cool.
So she is a music student because you feel like you're part of a piece of history that which is quite exciting.
Anyway, did the society is probably one of the most active college music societies in Oxford, and so we have a host of ensembles this year.
We had an orchestra and a singing ensemble and a jazz band.
And in previous days it was it had an a cappella group, String quartettes Wind Quintet.
So something like that. I would say it sort of varies 88 depending on how many people want to be involved.
And and we also have to recital series every time,
which means that every week we have a organ recital on Wednesday and a performance recital, like a general recital on Saturday lunchtime.
And we invite performers from throughout Oxford, actually throughout the country and even the world, which is really exciting.
It's a great opportunity to be involved in either performance or to be involved in a more managerial role.
And when we get really good audiences at Greens, which is very encouraging. So aside from the ensemble, is there a sisal series?
What else do we have? We have jazz nights every time. In Bucella, which definitely a big hit with the whole college.
I think music societies at large can be a little bit more niche, I suppose, and not everyone is interested in being part of music society.
But I'm pretty sure everyone loves the perfect blues night that we do.
That's really nice. So that we can connect with everyone in the college. And we also do slightly bigger, timely events.
So normally in the Michaelmas time, we'll do a big thing at Christmas.
This year we did a concert and we did some carols singing for homelessness Oxfordshire.
And and then in Hillery time, we did a music festival, which is a week of events every day, creating charity events, concerts, that kind of thing.
And then typically every summer time, the big sort of Pastor Resistants Day of the Society is the outdoor musical, which unfortunately.
Thank you to Lovely Caved 19. We did not actually get to do this.
Yeah. Which was a bit of a disappointment. As president of the society.
Definitely. I'm guessing a lot less stress than I would have otherwise been put through.
And normally that's a big event. And I think it's the only outlet musically in Oxford say that's pretty cool thing that we do as well.
And so, yeah, I think that sort of sums up. Thank you.
That was a really great explanation. I feel like even I learnt a bit. And I'm the treasurer for the sort of treasurer for the society.
So I don't think that's a good thing. So all three of you sing in kind of a big formal college chapel choir.
So what's been your experience of Bob? Rowan, can we start with you, please?
Thoroughly enjoyable. It's brilliant to have the opportunity to sink in such a high quality choir so often.
Yes. All three of us singing. Well, Merton or.
Round six of Manhattan. And yet, I, I myself.
Unless I myself find it just incredible. It's fun and engaging.
And it's a brilliant way of punctuating Oxford life.
Yeah, definitely, and I think if it breaks, I'll be weak. Nice. They ran.
And how about you? Have you found it? And it's great.
I really enjoy being able to sing at another college because it gets me out a bit and forces me to meet other people.
Which is always good. It's incredibly busy.
I think that's possibly due to the nature of the choirs that we all sing and we will do three services a week.
So there's always a decent time commitment that has to go into that.
But it's great. We travel all over the country singing concerts. We get to come back up during vacations to do stuff at Christmas, stuff at Easter.
And there's normally a quiet or of Rio, which is a great way to see a bit of the world and seen some fantastic places.
Fantastic. And Rachel, how about you? What's been your experience? And I have been a chorister clean for the past two years.
I ran and it's definitely probably the highlight of my time at Oxford is I just actually love that light.
I think there's a bit of a saying that if you're part of the music scene, then you're probably a choral scholar.
I definitely would say, like the society etsi that E.M.S. is very broad, that there is something super special about being in the choir.
It's a real community and a strong social environment.
And I definitely really benefited from. And also, I mean, in my opinion, we sing really cool music.
We should share a lot of people wouldn't agree with that.
Personally, I just think that there's nothing better than taking out three hours of your week to just go in and sing really great music.
It's really, really cool. Say.
You mentioned about singing at the Mountaintop a choir instead of the Queen's Chapel Choir.
How did this come about and how do you find like balancing singing in a different choir while being a music student at Queen's?
Yeah. So this was this was an interesting one for me.
So I originally applied to Martin, so I did cause choral trials in September, was awarded that Martin applied for music.
And then once you do choral scholarship application,
you rank the colleges in order of preference where you want to sing and you can choose to have an interview.
Your second choice, college. And for me, Queen was my second choice. So I was interviewed.
And after the admissions process, I was offered a place to read music at Queen's.
Now, the only problem with that was, is that you then lose your choral scholarship, so you want to sing and you can't sing anywhere.
So I was then invited by a friend who runs the Queen's quite common audition for him.
That unfortunately was unsuccessful. However, informally, that Ben, who runs Martin's choir, was still in need of some Alto's.
So I emailed him. I asked him if I could come and sing for him and because he'd already heard me and decided that I was good enough for his choir,
he let me back in to sing. So that was great. So I then found myself with a choir under college and it all worked out quite nicely.
The balance is fine. I mean, we have some interesting times, scheduling tutorials,
because the other three people in my ear at Queen's all sing in the Queen's choir and are even songs were on different days.
So frequently we find ourselves emailing tutors going, no, you can't see any of us past five o'clock, four days a week, which they don't always love.
But we get round it and it's okay. OK.
Perfect. Well, it sounds I think it's nice what you pointed out as well about being having the
experience to get out of Queens and meet some different people as well like it has.
It will have its drawbacks, but it also clearly had some really lovely benefits.
Yeah. Rachel, would you mind taking us through how coral and organ scholarship's work then?
Given that we've discussed them quite a bit? Yeah, of course. And I hope I can remember correctly.
Do jump in, Ron. And if I get something wrong. All right. So you apply for choros scholarship.
I can't actually remember the exact deadline, but most of September 1st to September.
Thank you. You come up to Oxford. Well, this is from my experience, actually, I should preface with that.
So I think at the moment, auditions are taking a different route because of obviously social distancing.
And I think currently that online say if if someone listened to it as this is hoping to do a choral scholarship audition,
do you make sure to go on to the choir website and cheque?
Well, I think it's under choral awards on the Oxford University website to cheque what the current sort of format is.
But in my experience, and I presume in the future will return this.
Is that you then spend a few days in Oxford in late September and you know, many state college of your first choice for an audition and on.
I think it's on day one and you have a solo audition where you perform a piece of your choice and one at the organ to scholars will accompany you.
So it's sort of it's it's relatively relaxed and everyone's very supportive.
So you get to spend time living in the college for a few days with other people that are also applying.
So it's quite a little bit surreal.
But I really it actually, because it is so early on in the in the application stage, it's sort of slightly less intimidating.
I found then the interviews, for example, say Yako,
say audition and you sing your piece and then I think it's possibly in the same audition that you have a short piece of sight reading to perform,
which you would have had an advance for. I think it's about fifteen minutes. You get an advance.
And so it's not too stressful. Don't panic.
And I think in Queens we also did some oral tests and say sort of like range tests, picking notes out of a chord, that kind of thing.
And he's very he's very forgiving. I'm sure I didn't get them all right.
I didn't know. I still can't. And many, many occasions say yes.
It's not it's not an intimidating process. And then you have a second audition on day two, which is when you sing within a group.
So the group will be made up of current calls, was in the choir.
So for me, that was an also a tenor and a bass. And I was the soprano in the group.
So we would just we just sang through a quite short piece and then Owen would ask us to bring out a certain line or try different dynamics.
Basically, it's sort of he's trying to find out how well you respond to his, like, tuition, I guess, and that kind of thing.
So, again, it was really enjoyable and really friendly.
We had the hard time prepared with the piece. It wasn't like you've never seen it before.
So, yeah, I think that was pretty much the entire audition process.
And then obviously you'll find out in later on in the month whether you get called for a academic into.
And then you'd got to December. I think I can't quite remember when I found out about my choral weather, when I got the scholarship.
But you definitely find out before you get your academic place at Oxford, which is different from Cambridge.
So it's worth checking anyway. Organ scholarships.
I am again, not exactly the person to ask is obviously don't have an open scholarship, but they happen in September.
And you actually interviewed for your academic place at the same time as you up that.
So you will stay up at Oxford, I think, for several days, and B, you'll do organ scholarship, which I presume is a similar process of some pieces,
your choice, some sight reading, I think possibly Hofstee, some harmonisation or improvisation or something like that.
But again,
do you cheque online because I'm not the person to ask and then you'll be be interviewed for your academic place there that then and there as well.
I think you might even find out your results quite quickly, possibly even just a few weeks after something like that.
Say it's a slightly different process to organ scholarships, but again, similar similar vibes.
Yeah, I hope the answer to the question. Yeah, that was perfect. Thank you.
You just clarify one thing for me. Do you need a chorus scholarship in order?
Singing the Queen's Chapel Choir. And so you don't.
I don't believe that you actually need one from the get go.
So you say you don't apply for a choral scholarship before you apply for your academic place because.
We have had people join the choir who are already members from Queens or from other colleges who've written to Owen.
If you say needs another soprano and said, can I come with deceitfully? So there are other ways that you can become a member of Queens.
And also we have just as Rhiannon is a choral.
Is the Torah scholar at Merton. We have chorus scholars from other colleges who actually called choral exhibitionists.
And so it's not quite so clear cut. But I think it is sort of the more typical route into Queen's class.
OK. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you for clarifying. Sir Rowan, you don't study music, but you're really involved in it.
So how do you find balancing music with the rest of your work? That's a great question.
I think the important thing is that everyone at Oxford probably has something they do alongside their degree.
And I'm lucky that they think I'm interested in this music and it feeds into my degree.
I do find about it. It feeds into that so much. And so I use the music that I do outside of my degree within it.
But more importantly than that, it's a chance to take a break from work, which is such an important thing for everyone.
So even songs three times a week. And also, Rachel, that I send in an archipelago together with twelve other people.
And that's another great kind of moment outside of my degree where I don't have to worry about work.
And it provides social stuff as well as just use it. So it's the perfect thing to do as well as a degree.
And I would recommend to any one coming to Oxford to find something to allow them to take a break from the work, because it is intense.
And everyone needs a moment. Yeah.
Thank you. I think I think that's a really good point.
So we've mentioned the fact that the chapel choirs sing even songs at different points during the week round.
And can you tell me a little bit about what Evensong is and what it's like as an experience, the saying?
Yes, I think the important thing to note with these chapel choirs is you don't have to have any experience of singing, even songs get into them.
I know there's a number of people at Merton and I'm sure there are some queens who've come in as good singers,
but have just been part of their school choirs and have developed a love for this and want to do this more formal church music.
So the way it sort of works is we get dressed up in our robes every week, which I personally enjoy an awful lot.
They look a bit daft if you've never seen them before, but they're very useful for the winter when it's cold.
So we will sing. If it's a Sunday, we'll sing an intricate, which is a short piece of music at the start,
will process in and then we will go through various pieces of music.
There are certain set texts that we have to sing at every service in order for it to be even sung.
But the nice thing is plenty of composers have written settings for this.
So we don't repeat music very much,
which is great for the sight reading and occasionally a little bit stressful depending on how much rehearsal time we've had.
We get to sing lots of great anthems, which is sort of around the midpoint of the service.
So these would be a lot higher choral classics and we find a lot of our favourite music at this point of the service.
There's also a reflection period where we have prayers from our priest.
If it's a Sunday, we'll have a sermon which lasts about 10 minutes, depending on whether or not there's a big service,
if it's a feast day or something, sometimes that can be a bit longer.
But they are quite nice times to just sort of got your thoughts if it's been a busy week or listen along and then we finish our service.
And the best part about singing in a chapel choir.
My opinion is the food afterwards because one of the cooks is that every time you sing, you get fed, which does wonders for the weekly budget.
And it's a nice time to sort of absent downtime with the choir as well, because a lot of time we spend together is quite intense rehearsals.
And so the high pressure performance situations. But the fact that three times a week we get to sit down, eat together, discuss the service.
It's been really great. Or if that was something that went a little bit awry, that maybe we need to think about the next time.
It's a really nice time just to chill and just enjoy being Oxford.
Oh, fantastic. Thank you. And so Christmas at Oxford, which is already mentioned, which is also known as optimist's,
wouldn't be the same without all of the amazing music that happens throughout the colleges in the city.
So do you find that you like being involved in music, especially at this time of the year?
And Rachel, could you could you do that one, please? I'd like a trick question. Yeah.
This is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year.
I think it's also becomes the best time of the year because Nicolas's a long time.
And I mean, I'm fingers crossed you wouldn't get ill in the time coming up, but everyone at some point gets a cold.
And we've all been through how we've forgotten how hard the work was and, you know, 50 degrees or hits 60, 70 and 80.
And I'm getting it by the end of the time.
You really want to celebrate just how far you've come since the beginning.
And I think. Oxman says it is just the best.
So singing in the choir, we always have a carol service or a Carol concert.
Typically both actually, and quite often we get to travel somewhere to do a concert.
So, for example, this year just gone, we went to Raymond Bonks Restaurant, them monologue, cactuses.
Which was amazing. And we got to sample some tasty gifts as well.
And performing this beautiful chapel and singing Christmas carols,
which are quite a it's hard to deny that Christmas carols aren't just the best possible choral music.
And yes, that's some of something that we get to do. On the side is the choir.
But then we'll say within college, there are loads of things going on around Xmas.
So that's the big Christmas dinner and which we have in college.
In the hall, everyone gets dressed up and typically the Carol service runs just fall.
So not the college go to Carol Service, which is really nice because then during time,
I think we are quite lucky in the sense that we do get a reasonable congregation.
But it's typically made up of people from outside college, which is which is great.
But it's really great to have some of your college friends.
You don't really know you that you saying or don't know what you do three times a week when you disappear for them to come and go like,
wow, that was really, really good. And you're like, yeah, I know.
So that's always nice. And then we obviously had dinner, quite a few drinks.
I think the client have a particularly strong sort of social bonding, just some spending so much time together.
So we do have and we often likes, you know, have our own drinks party and we'll go into into court,
into dinner, sorry, and and sing carols for everybody else in dinner as well.
And then it is the best tradition that we always sing the twelve days of Christmas
during dinner when we are eating and stand on the table for five gold rings,
probably to the complete panic of the kitchen staff.
It's just a lot of fun and probably one of my favourite nights of the year.
So yeah, I'd say it's pretty hard to be optimistic. Oh, fantastic.
That's been great. And I think you guys are going to raise a really good perspective on what it's like to participate in music,
costumes and more broadly in Oxford as well.
So finally, I'd just like to ask you each, what is your favourite thing about college and why?
Rowan, can you kick start with that, please? Oh, my.
I mean, I have to say this social aspect that for me.
College for me, most of my degree is outside of college. So the social aspect,
which comes from the people in college who I'm living with and from choir and from meals and
especially at oxalis all of the other times of the year where there's basically a big party.
Yes, I would say that's my favourite part of college. Brilliant.
Thank you. How about Iran? Yeah, I think it is.
It's very cheesing, typical, but it has to be the people. We are blessed with a beautiful college and we have a beautiful chapel.
The library is obviously phenomenal, but it would be nothing without the people that are in there.
Sure, yeah. I think we have an amazing community. I'm definitely coming to see us and meet us.
We'd love to meet a group that wants to come and join in Queens. Yeah, we're very nice.
We don't bite. Rachel, how about you? I mean, I can't argue with you.
There is two things I have to agree on. I think I possibly add just as a music student.
And Clean's is I mean, it's kind of second to none like this Music Society and the choir.
And we also have an amazing auditorium, the Chaumont Auditorium, which is a really great performing space.
For me, it sort of has everything I possibly want.
And then the nicest people you possibly have met say it's it's just it's all around a really great place to be.
And I'm really looking forward to going back. Oh, lovely. Thank you.
Well, thank you all so much. You've been really, really interesting. And I'm sure anybody who listened has learnt absolutely loads.
So, yeah. Thank you so much for participating. And I'll speak to you also.
Thank you so much to Rachel, Rowan and Rhiannon for that amazing conversation and a massive thank you to all of you who listened.
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