1 00:00:00,090 --> 00:00:04,530 Hello and welcome to the Queen's Access podcast. It's so lovely to have you here. 2 00:00:04,530 --> 00:00:08,580 And I hope you find this a useful resource in learning more about life at Oxford. 3 00:00:08,580 --> 00:00:15,990 But more specifically about life at the Queen's College. My guests this week are Rachel Howe, a third Jaimie's student, Rhiannon Harris, 4 00:00:15,990 --> 00:00:20,760 a second year music student, and Rowan Island, a third year studying fine arts. 5 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:26,280 We'll have a chat about the musical opportunities on offer at Queen's. My apologies for any poor audio. 6 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:31,440 These interviews have all been conducted over Zoome, and the Internet connexion isn't always completely reliable. 7 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:45,320 For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Queen's website. I hope you enjoy. 8 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:49,220 Hi, everybody. Thank you so much for being here. I really, really appreciate your help. 9 00:00:49,220 --> 00:00:53,900 And I'm sure you'll make really, really interesting guests. Thank you for being here. 10 00:00:53,900 --> 00:00:58,010 If we could just start by each of you telling me a little bit about your queens, Danny. 11 00:00:58,010 --> 00:01:02,440 So how did you end up in college, Rianne? And can you start us off, please? 12 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:08,450 Yeah. So I originally decided that I wanted to apply for a physics degree. 13 00:01:08,450 --> 00:01:13,630 Decided that was a horrible idea. But by that point, I had missed the Oxford deadline for the year. 14 00:01:13,630 --> 00:01:19,280 So end up taking a year out and teaching in a school for bit decided that music was what I really wanted 15 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:27,650 to do and then applied to Merton originally and got transferred to Queens during the admissions process. 16 00:01:27,650 --> 00:01:31,370 I don't think I could have been put in a better place. Oh, lovely. 17 00:01:31,370 --> 00:01:36,710 I'm really glad I'm glad your you're happy with where you ended up. Rachel, how about you? 18 00:01:36,710 --> 00:01:42,950 We'll ask you a similar story to Rianna in any any that I originally saw. 19 00:01:42,950 --> 00:01:49,970 I was going to apply for English and didn't think I was gonna fly to Oxbridge, then decided that was a horrible idea. 20 00:01:49,970 --> 00:01:54,110 Because you have to read so many books and that was not me. 21 00:01:54,110 --> 00:02:02,600 So I then took a gap year and I taught music in a school and I also studied three year music. 22 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:06,890 So I haven't done it at. I did. I'd be if I hadn't done it, I be. 23 00:02:06,890 --> 00:02:12,590 And then I didn't intercede for Queens. And that's December, I suppose. 24 00:02:12,590 --> 00:02:16,990 Yeah. I mean, that December and again and ended up at Queens. 25 00:02:16,990 --> 00:02:21,020 And so, yes, it's kind of a weird, weird turn of events that got me have. 26 00:02:21,020 --> 00:02:25,560 I'm definitely so glad that this is the place I ended up. Oh, fantastic. 27 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:33,890 And Rowan, how about you? I always wanted to study fine. 28 00:02:33,890 --> 00:02:42,830 But I also always wanted to do a chorus at Oxford. So when it came to applications, I applied for the chorus scholarship first, 29 00:02:42,830 --> 00:02:51,770 then for finals, and I was pleasantly surprised at every stage of the application process. 30 00:02:51,770 --> 00:02:58,650 Oh, perfect. Okay. Thank you all so much. So let's start off with talking about music quite casually in college. 31 00:02:58,650 --> 00:03:05,260 So, Rachel, as the outgoing president, can you tell me a little bit about the College Music Society, EMEA? 32 00:03:05,260 --> 00:03:12,670 No, of course. Like so E.M.S. Stansel, the Eagles Skilled Musical Society. 33 00:03:12,670 --> 00:03:19,440 And it is the oldest music society in Oxford. And it was founded 1842. 34 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,240 And we had to look back. Sadly, I didn't actually know that the still have my head. 35 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:29,210 And yes, it's it's a very prestigious society and it's based at Queen's, which is really cool. 36 00:03:29,210 --> 00:03:36,030 So she is a music student because you feel like you're part of a piece of history that which is quite exciting. 37 00:03:36,030 --> 00:03:46,050 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. 38 00:03:46,050 --> 00:03:51,870 We had an orchestra and a singing ensemble and a jazz band. 39 00:03:51,870 --> 00:04:00,120 And in previous days it was it had an a cappella group, String quartettes Wind Quintet. 40 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:06,490 So something like that. I would say it sort of varies 88 depending on how many people want to be involved. 41 00:04:06,490 --> 00:04:11,040 And and we also have to recital series every time, 42 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:21,390 which means that every week we have a organ recital on Wednesday and a performance recital, like a general recital on Saturday lunchtime. 43 00:04:21,390 --> 00:04:28,990 And we invite performers from throughout Oxford, actually throughout the country and even the world, which is really exciting. 44 00:04:28,990 --> 00:04:35,950 It's a great opportunity to be involved in either performance or to be involved in a more managerial role. 45 00:04:35,950 --> 00:04:42,690 And when we get really good audiences at Greens, which is very encouraging. So aside from the ensemble, is there a sisal series? 46 00:04:42,690 --> 00:04:50,760 What else do we have? We have jazz nights every time. In Bucella, which definitely a big hit with the whole college. 47 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:59,650 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. 48 00:04:59,650 --> 00:05:03,570 But I'm pretty sure everyone loves the perfect blues night that we do. 49 00:05:03,570 --> 00:05:10,620 That's really nice. So that we can connect with everyone in the college. And we also do slightly bigger, timely events. 50 00:05:10,620 --> 00:05:15,780 So normally in the Michaelmas time, we'll do a big thing at Christmas. 51 00:05:15,780 --> 00:05:22,000 This year we did a concert and we did some carols singing for homelessness Oxfordshire. 52 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:33,510 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. 53 00:05:33,510 --> 00:05:45,390 And then typically every summer time, the big sort of Pastor Resistants Day of the Society is the outdoor musical, which unfortunately. 54 00:05:45,390 --> 00:05:48,900 Thank you to Lovely Caved 19. We did not actually get to do this. 55 00:05:48,900 --> 00:05:53,340 Yeah. Which was a bit of a disappointment. As president of the society. 56 00:05:53,340 --> 00:05:58,430 Definitely. I'm guessing a lot less stress than I would have otherwise been put through. 57 00:05:58,430 --> 00:06:04,740 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. 58 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:08,550 And so, yeah, I think that sort of sums up. Thank you. 59 00:06:08,550 --> 00:06:14,890 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. 60 00:06:14,890 --> 00:06:23,160 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. 61 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:31,470 So what's been your experience of Bob? Rowan, can we start with you, please? 62 00:06:31,470 --> 00:06:40,620 Thoroughly enjoyable. It's brilliant to have the opportunity to sink in such a high quality choir so often. 63 00:06:40,620 --> 00:06:45,660 Yes. All three of us singing. Well, Merton or. 64 00:06:45,660 --> 00:06:52,200 Round six of Manhattan. And yet, I, I myself. 65 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:58,860 Unless I myself find it just incredible. It's fun and engaging. 66 00:06:58,860 --> 00:07:03,770 And it's a brilliant way of punctuating Oxford life. 67 00:07:03,770 --> 00:07:07,040 Yeah, definitely, and I think if it breaks, I'll be weak. Nice. They ran. 68 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,140 And how about you? Have you found it? And it's great. 69 00:07:10,140 --> 00:07:14,870 I really enjoy being able to sing at another college because it gets me out a bit and forces me to meet other people. 70 00:07:14,870 --> 00:07:19,170 Which is always good. It's incredibly busy. 71 00:07:19,170 --> 00:07:25,170 I think that's possibly due to the nature of the choirs that we all sing and we will do three services a week. 72 00:07:25,170 --> 00:07:29,060 So there's always a decent time commitment that has to go into that. 73 00:07:29,060 --> 00:07:38,820 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. 74 00:07:38,820 --> 00:07:46,140 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. 75 00:07:46,140 --> 00:07:52,920 Fantastic. And Rachel, how about you? What's been your experience? And I have been a chorister clean for the past two years. 76 00:07:52,920 --> 00:08:00,900 I ran and it's definitely probably the highlight of my time at Oxford is I just actually love that light. 77 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:07,800 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. 78 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:16,300 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. 79 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:20,870 It's a real community and a strong social environment. 80 00:08:20,870 --> 00:08:29,070 And I definitely really benefited from. And also, I mean, in my opinion, we sing really cool music. 81 00:08:29,070 --> 00:08:31,140 We should share a lot of people wouldn't agree with that. 82 00:08:31,140 --> 00:08:38,280 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. 83 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:42,900 It's really, really cool. Say. 84 00:08:42,900 --> 00:08:47,310 You mentioned about singing at the Mountaintop a choir instead of the Queen's Chapel Choir. 85 00:08:47,310 --> 00:08:54,060 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? 86 00:08:54,060 --> 00:08:56,730 Yeah. So this was this was an interesting one for me. 87 00:08:56,730 --> 00:09:07,770 So I originally applied to Martin, so I did cause choral trials in September, was awarded that Martin applied for music. 88 00:09:07,770 --> 00:09:11,670 And then once you do choral scholarship application, 89 00:09:11,670 --> 00:09:18,240 you rank the colleges in order of preference where you want to sing and you can choose to have an interview. 90 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:22,650 Your second choice, college. And for me, Queen was my second choice. So I was interviewed. 91 00:09:22,650 --> 00:09:27,090 And after the admissions process, I was offered a place to read music at Queen's. 92 00:09:27,090 --> 00:09:33,930 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. 93 00:09:33,930 --> 00:09:39,090 So I was then invited by a friend who runs the Queen's quite common audition for him. 94 00:09:39,090 --> 00:09:47,070 That unfortunately was unsuccessful. However, informally, that Ben, who runs Martin's choir, was still in need of some Alto's. 95 00:09:47,070 --> 00:09:53,940 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, 96 00:09:53,940 --> 00:10:02,670 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. 97 00:10:02,670 --> 00:10:08,190 The balance is fine. I mean, we have some interesting times, scheduling tutorials, 98 00:10:08,190 --> 00:10:15,270 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. 99 00:10:15,270 --> 00:10:23,970 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. 100 00:10:23,970 --> 00:10:28,570 But we get round it and it's okay. OK. 101 00:10:28,570 --> 00:10:32,770 Perfect. Well, it sounds I think it's nice what you pointed out as well about being having the 102 00:10:32,770 --> 00:10:36,520 experience to get out of Queens and meet some different people as well like it has. 103 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:40,440 It will have its drawbacks, but it also clearly had some really lovely benefits. 104 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:45,610 Yeah. Rachel, would you mind taking us through how coral and organ scholarship's work then? 105 00:10:45,610 --> 00:10:50,330 Given that we've discussed them quite a bit? Yeah, of course. And I hope I can remember correctly. 106 00:10:50,330 --> 00:10:58,450 Do jump in, Ron. And if I get something wrong. All right. So you apply for choros scholarship. 107 00:10:58,450 --> 00:11:04,660 I can't actually remember the exact deadline, but most of September 1st to September. 108 00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:11,770 Thank you. You come up to Oxford. Well, this is from my experience, actually, I should preface with that. 109 00:11:11,770 --> 00:11:18,610 So I think at the moment, auditions are taking a different route because of obviously social distancing. 110 00:11:18,610 --> 00:11:26,780 And I think currently that online say if if someone listened to it as this is hoping to do a choral scholarship audition, 111 00:11:26,780 --> 00:11:31,070 do you make sure to go on to the choir website and cheque? 112 00:11:31,070 --> 00:11:38,020 Well, I think it's under choral awards on the Oxford University website to cheque what the current sort of format is. 113 00:11:38,020 --> 00:11:42,700 But in my experience, and I presume in the future will return this. 114 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:53,230 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. 115 00:11:53,230 --> 00:12:03,310 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. 116 00:12:03,310 --> 00:12:08,540 So it's sort of it's it's relatively relaxed and everyone's very supportive. 117 00:12:08,540 --> 00:12:14,040 So you get to spend time living in the college for a few days with other people that are also applying. 118 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:15,740 So it's quite a little bit surreal. 119 00:12:15,740 --> 00:12:25,570 But I really it actually, because it is so early on in the in the application stage, it's sort of slightly less intimidating. 120 00:12:25,570 --> 00:12:29,230 I found then the interviews, for example, say Yako, 121 00:12:29,230 --> 00:12:39,490 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, 122 00:12:39,490 --> 00:12:43,820 which you would have had an advance for. I think it's about fifteen minutes. You get an advance. 123 00:12:43,820 --> 00:12:47,660 And so it's not too stressful. Don't panic. 124 00:12:47,660 --> 00:12:57,760 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. 125 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:02,070 And he's very he's very forgiving. I'm sure I didn't get them all right. 126 00:13:02,070 --> 00:13:06,330 I didn't know. I still can't. And many, many occasions say yes. 127 00:13:06,330 --> 00:13:16,510 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. 128 00:13:16,510 --> 00:13:20,980 So the group will be made up of current calls, was in the choir. 129 00:13:20,980 --> 00:13:26,650 So for me, that was an also a tenor and a bass. And I was the soprano in the group. 130 00:13:26,650 --> 00:13:36,340 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. 131 00:13:36,340 --> 00:13:43,710 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. 132 00:13:43,710 --> 00:13:47,770 So, again, it was really enjoyable and really friendly. 133 00:13:47,770 --> 00:13:52,770 We had the hard time prepared with the piece. It wasn't like you've never seen it before. 134 00:13:52,770 --> 00:13:56,620 So, yeah, I think that was pretty much the entire audition process. 135 00:13:56,620 --> 00:14:05,740 And then obviously you'll find out in later on in the month whether you get called for a academic into. 136 00:14:05,740 --> 00:14:13,410 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. 137 00:14:13,410 --> 00:14:21,820 But you definitely find out before you get your academic place at Oxford, which is different from Cambridge. 138 00:14:21,820 --> 00:14:26,350 So it's worth checking anyway. Organ scholarships. 139 00:14:26,350 --> 00:14:35,730 I am again, not exactly the person to ask is obviously don't have an open scholarship, but they happen in September. 140 00:14:35,730 --> 00:14:40,960 And you actually interviewed for your academic place at the same time as you up that. 141 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:49,970 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, 142 00:14:49,970 --> 00:14:56,800 your choice, some sight reading, I think possibly Hofstee, some harmonisation or improvisation or something like that. 143 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:57,700 But again, 144 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:07,510 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. 145 00:15:07,510 --> 00:15:14,500 I think you might even find out your results quite quickly, possibly even just a few weeks after something like that. 146 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:20,370 Say it's a slightly different process to organ scholarships, but again, similar similar vibes. 147 00:15:20,370 --> 00:15:23,710 Yeah, I hope the answer to the question. Yeah, that was perfect. Thank you. 148 00:15:23,710 --> 00:15:27,550 You just clarify one thing for me. Do you need a chorus scholarship in order? 149 00:15:27,550 --> 00:15:32,020 Singing the Queen's Chapel Choir. And so you don't. 150 00:15:32,020 --> 00:15:35,740 I don't believe that you actually need one from the get go. 151 00:15:35,740 --> 00:15:42,850 So you say you don't apply for a choral scholarship before you apply for your academic place because. 152 00:15:42,850 --> 00:15:51,280 We have had people join the choir who are already members from Queens or from other colleges who've written to Owen. 153 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:58,690 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. 154 00:15:58,690 --> 00:16:02,930 And also we have just as Rhiannon is a choral. 155 00:16:02,930 --> 00:16:10,360 Is the Torah scholar at Merton. We have chorus scholars from other colleges who actually called choral exhibitionists. 156 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:16,910 And so it's not quite so clear cut. But I think it is sort of the more typical route into Queen's class. 157 00:16:16,910 --> 00:16:24,220 OK. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you for clarifying. Sir Rowan, you don't study music, but you're really involved in it. 158 00:16:24,220 --> 00:16:31,410 So how do you find balancing music with the rest of your work? That's a great question. 159 00:16:31,410 --> 00:16:40,830 I think the important thing is that everyone at Oxford probably has something they do alongside their degree. 160 00:16:40,830 --> 00:16:47,460 And I'm lucky that they think I'm interested in this music and it feeds into my degree. 161 00:16:47,460 --> 00:16:57,370 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. 162 00:16:57,370 --> 00:17:05,670 But more importantly than that, it's a chance to take a break from work, which is such an important thing for everyone. 163 00:17:05,670 --> 00:17:13,440 So even songs three times a week. And also, Rachel, that I send in an archipelago together with twelve other people. 164 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:21,480 And that's another great kind of moment outside of my degree where I don't have to worry about work. 165 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:31,000 And it provides social stuff as well as just use it. So it's the perfect thing to do as well as a degree. 166 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:43,560 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. 167 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:47,670 And everyone needs a moment. Yeah. 168 00:17:47,670 --> 00:17:51,120 Thank you. I think I think that's a really good point. 169 00:17:51,120 --> 00:17:57,120 So we've mentioned the fact that the chapel choirs sing even songs at different points during the week round. 170 00:17:57,120 --> 00:18:02,520 And can you tell me a little bit about what Evensong is and what it's like as an experience, the saying? 171 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:10,080 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. 172 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:15,930 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, 173 00:18:15,930 --> 00:18:23,190 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. 174 00:18:23,190 --> 00:18:33,450 So the way it sort of works is we get dressed up in our robes every week, which I personally enjoy an awful lot. 175 00:18:33,450 --> 00:18:39,780 They look a bit daft if you've never seen them before, but they're very useful for the winter when it's cold. 176 00:18:39,780 --> 00:18:47,280 So we will sing. If it's a Sunday, we'll sing an intricate, which is a short piece of music at the start, 177 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:53,910 will process in and then we will go through various pieces of music. 178 00:18:53,910 --> 00:18:59,370 There are certain set texts that we have to sing at every service in order for it to be even sung. 179 00:18:59,370 --> 00:19:02,930 But the nice thing is plenty of composers have written settings for this. 180 00:19:02,930 --> 00:19:05,550 So we don't repeat music very much, 181 00:19:05,550 --> 00:19:12,270 which is great for the sight reading and occasionally a little bit stressful depending on how much rehearsal time we've had. 182 00:19:12,270 --> 00:19:17,580 We get to sing lots of great anthems, which is sort of around the midpoint of the service. 183 00:19:17,580 --> 00:19:24,330 So these would be a lot higher choral classics and we find a lot of our favourite music at this point of the service. 184 00:19:24,330 --> 00:19:28,620 There's also a reflection period where we have prayers from our priest. 185 00:19:28,620 --> 00:19:36,360 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, 186 00:19:36,360 --> 00:19:39,670 if it's a feast day or something, sometimes that can be a bit longer. 187 00:19:39,670 --> 00:19:49,710 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. 188 00:19:49,710 --> 00:19:51,730 And the best part about singing in a chapel choir. 189 00:19:51,730 --> 00:20:00,490 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. 190 00:20:00,490 --> 00:20:08,250 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. 191 00:20:08,250 --> 00:20:15,600 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. 192 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:21,330 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. 193 00:20:21,330 --> 00:20:28,650 It's a really nice time just to chill and just enjoy being Oxford. 194 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:35,790 Oh, fantastic. Thank you. And so Christmas at Oxford, which is already mentioned, which is also known as optimist's, 195 00:20:35,790 --> 00:20:41,220 wouldn't be the same without all of the amazing music that happens throughout the colleges in the city. 196 00:20:41,220 --> 00:20:46,260 So do you find that you like being involved in music, especially at this time of the year? 197 00:20:46,260 --> 00:20:52,830 And Rachel, could you could you do that one, please? I'd like a trick question. Yeah. 198 00:20:52,830 --> 00:20:56,130 This is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year. 199 00:20:56,130 --> 00:21:02,760 I think it's also becomes the best time of the year because Nicolas's a long time. 200 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:11,100 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. 201 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:20,340 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. 202 00:21:20,340 --> 00:21:24,090 And I'm getting it by the end of the time. 203 00:21:24,090 --> 00:21:28,020 You really want to celebrate just how far you've come since the beginning. 204 00:21:28,020 --> 00:21:31,930 And I think. Oxman says it is just the best. 205 00:21:31,930 --> 00:21:38,470 So singing in the choir, we always have a carol service or a Carol concert. 206 00:21:38,470 --> 00:21:44,380 Typically both actually, and quite often we get to travel somewhere to do a concert. 207 00:21:44,380 --> 00:21:50,980 So, for example, this year just gone, we went to Raymond Bonks Restaurant, them monologue, cactuses. 208 00:21:50,980 --> 00:21:57,130 Which was amazing. And we got to sample some tasty gifts as well. 209 00:21:57,130 --> 00:22:01,120 And performing this beautiful chapel and singing Christmas carols, 210 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:10,900 which are quite a it's hard to deny that Christmas carols aren't just the best possible choral music. 211 00:22:10,900 --> 00:22:14,380 And yes, that's some of something that we get to do. On the side is the choir. 212 00:22:14,380 --> 00:22:19,900 But then we'll say within college, there are loads of things going on around Xmas. 213 00:22:19,900 --> 00:22:25,030 So that's the big Christmas dinner and which we have in college. 214 00:22:25,030 --> 00:22:30,760 In the hall, everyone gets dressed up and typically the Carol service runs just fall. 215 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:35,860 So not the college go to Carol Service, which is really nice because then during time, 216 00:22:35,860 --> 00:22:40,630 I think we are quite lucky in the sense that we do get a reasonable congregation. 217 00:22:40,630 --> 00:22:44,790 But it's typically made up of people from outside college, which is which is great. 218 00:22:44,790 --> 00:22:47,640 But it's really great to have some of your college friends. 219 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:53,590 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, 220 00:22:53,590 --> 00:22:59,230 wow, that was really, really good. And you're like, yeah, I know. 221 00:22:59,230 --> 00:23:06,610 So that's always nice. And then we obviously had dinner, quite a few drinks. 222 00:23:06,610 --> 00:23:13,140 I think the client have a particularly strong sort of social bonding, just some spending so much time together. 223 00:23:13,140 --> 00:23:20,320 So we do have and we often likes, you know, have our own drinks party and we'll go into into court, 224 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:25,750 into dinner, sorry, and and sing carols for everybody else in dinner as well. 225 00:23:25,750 --> 00:23:31,570 And then it is the best tradition that we always sing the twelve days of Christmas 226 00:23:31,570 --> 00:23:36,640 during dinner when we are eating and stand on the table for five gold rings, 227 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:42,430 probably to the complete panic of the kitchen staff. 228 00:23:42,430 --> 00:23:46,100 It's just a lot of fun and probably one of my favourite nights of the year. 229 00:23:46,100 --> 00:23:50,890 So yeah, I'd say it's pretty hard to be optimistic. Oh, fantastic. 230 00:23:50,890 --> 00:23:56,780 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, 231 00:23:56,780 --> 00:24:00,880 costumes and more broadly in Oxford as well. 232 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:07,390 So finally, I'd just like to ask you each, what is your favourite thing about college and why? 233 00:24:07,390 --> 00:24:13,410 Rowan, can you kick start with that, please? Oh, my. 234 00:24:13,410 --> 00:24:17,220 I mean, I have to say this social aspect that for me. 235 00:24:17,220 --> 00:24:22,080 College for me, most of my degree is outside of college. So the social aspect, 236 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:28,800 which comes from the people in college who I'm living with and from choir and from meals and 237 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:35,820 especially at oxalis all of the other times of the year where there's basically a big party. 238 00:24:35,820 --> 00:24:39,210 Yes, I would say that's my favourite part of college. Brilliant. 239 00:24:39,210 --> 00:24:42,390 Thank you. How about Iran? Yeah, I think it is. 240 00:24:42,390 --> 00:24:49,680 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. 241 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:55,110 The library is obviously phenomenal, but it would be nothing without the people that are in there. 242 00:24:55,110 --> 00:25:00,960 Sure, yeah. I think we have an amazing community. I'm definitely coming to see us and meet us. 243 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:05,730 We'd love to meet a group that wants to come and join in Queens. Yeah, we're very nice. 244 00:25:05,730 --> 00:25:12,100 We don't bite. Rachel, how about you? I mean, I can't argue with you. 245 00:25:12,100 --> 00:25:18,570 There is two things I have to agree on. I think I possibly add just as a music student. 246 00:25:18,570 --> 00:25:25,680 And Clean's is I mean, it's kind of second to none like this Music Society and the choir. 247 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:32,190 And we also have an amazing auditorium, the Chaumont Auditorium, which is a really great performing space. 248 00:25:32,190 --> 00:25:35,070 For me, it sort of has everything I possibly want. 249 00:25:35,070 --> 00:25:41,520 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. 250 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:45,720 And I'm really looking forward to going back. Oh, lovely. Thank you. 251 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:52,140 Well, thank you all so much. You've been really, really interesting. And I'm sure anybody who listened has learnt absolutely loads. 252 00:25:52,140 --> 00:26:04,380 So, yeah. Thank you so much for participating. And I'll speak to you also. 253 00:26:04,380 --> 00:26:10,830 Thank you so much to Rachel, Rowan and Rhiannon for that amazing conversation and a massive thank you to all of you who listened. 254 00:26:10,830 --> 00:26:20,250 There are loads more access resources on the Queen's College website. W w w dot queens, dot Orkestar, Acey dot UK forward slash access dash outreach. 255 00:26:20,250 --> 00:26:23,100 And you can find out more about the college in general through its website, 256 00:26:23,100 --> 00:26:31,648 Twitter and Instagram, including on the Access Twitter at Queen's Outreach.