stop caring: reflections of a music scholar
stop caring: reflections of a music scholar
Adrian del Ser has been a Music scholar for the duration of his five years at the school. He has performed as a cellist in the Symphony Orchestra and in various chamber ensembles, and amid an impressive academic and co-curricular schedule, has also found the time to sing in the Sennocke Consort and the school’ s Choral Society. He leaves Sevenoaks to study Engineering at Cambridge.
What have been the highs of the Sevenoaks Music experience?
Choir performances, choir trips, playing in the orchestra when my sister Nina( OS 2014) performed the Schumann piano concerto, all the chamber music I have played and the injection of the new members of the Music team this year who have brought formidable energy and enthusiasm to the department.
Any low moments?
What can you say about your audition for a music scholarship and your arrival at the school?
I can remember being terrified before my audition, and that when I entered the room there were three people on the panel. Funnily enough it was at this point that I began to feel more comfortable. I found the panel friendly and surprisingly non-judgemental. I had been used to the Music Conservatoire experience in Kazakhstan which had been fairly strict, so in many ways the audition at Sevenoaks was a liberating experience and made me feel optimistic about joining.
When I started at the school I was struck by the incredible standard of musicianship amongst my peers. This is perhaps where I got things a little wrong as I allowed myself to be intimidated by this and avoided solo performances, but the very people who I was worried might judge my playing were the most supportive. I have been lucky to have been amongst not just brilliant musicians but lovely, warm people. I only wish I had realised this sooner as the only regret I have is not having made more of the many recital opportunities.
I suppose the fact that I didn’ t play enough as a soloist. I do remember playing an arrangement of Saint-Saëns’‘ The Swan’ early on in my time. It was just one of those performances where things went wrong. I felt the intonation was poor, I struggled with some of the high notes but worst of all I learnt the wrong lessons from the experience. I should have tried to envisage being in the audience and realised that those who came to the concert would have been interested in all the things I did well. This is something I have come to know recently.
With all the wisdom you have acquired, what would your advice be to anyone about to start as a musician at Sevenoaks?
Stop caring. Not about the music but about what people might be thinking of you. You’ ll worry about all the wrong things and ultimately the truth is that everyone is on your side. Try to imagine yourself as an audience member and think of the positive way in which we all support each other in our musical endeavours. Always keep trying and enjoy everything the Music department has to offer.
Interview by Chris Potts
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2016-2017 57