Last night we drove down to Canterbury, and stayed with Emma, this morning we were all up early to get to the University to collect her cap and gown. My very beautiful and talented daughter is officially a graduate of Canterbury Christchurch University. It was quite an occassion, the setting of Canterbury Cathedral and the music from Canterburys Cantata Choir added to the overall grandeur!
Her degree a 2:1 Honours is in Music. Ever since she was tiny Emma has loved music, she made musical sounds with as many of her toys as she could, she would clap along to music and sing at a very young age, Tim remembered today dancing her to sleep when she was a baby whilst listening to anything from Phil Collins to Vivaldi!
Emma's first instrument was a recorder- and she would practise for hours, she then moved onto the guitar, again practise was all important to Emma. Senior school allowed her to explore different instruments and different types of music, but it was our move to Texas when Emma was 13 that opened many doors, she joined the Junior High School Orchestra learning to play the violin, practise soon earned her a gold medal at competition and an Outstanding Musicianship Award. She moved on to High School where she asked if she could borrow a cello to practise at home- and the love affair began!
The High School Orchestra went to competition at Dallas and won the State prize, Emma enjoyed her time with both the full and Chamber Orchestras at High School and was introduced to some small ensemble work.
We moved back to England when Emma was 16, determined as ever she sat her GCSE exams and passed them all in 6 months rather than the usual 2 years! She also sat and passed a Music Theory Exam and gained a place on the BTEC Music course at Colchester Institute, she also played with and studied at Colchester Area Music School and two different County Orchestras. The hight-light of her time at Colchester was an opportunity to play with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Mariner.
The course was a tough one but ever determined, in some cases to prove folk wrong ( Emma was challenged by some that starting to play an instrument at 14 was too late!), Emma passed well and gained a place to study at Christchurch University in Canterbury. Part of the appeal in accepting this place was the offer of Anna Shuttleworth as a teacher ( just Google Anna and you will soon discover the calibre of musicians she has taught!- just her name draws respect from many!)
A year out followed though Emma did not stop practising or learning and took lessons all year, even taking her cello to Camp America for the summer- then carrying it across country on a road trip!
Emma has enjoyed her 3 years at Canterbury Christchurch, we have watched her mature and shine in so many ways. She took first chair in the cello section following an audition in her first month with the University- she'd entered the auditions for experience and truly didin't expect to be leading the section! Small ensemble work included being part of a String Quartet and a Cello Ensemble. The list goes on...Emma played The Swan -From Carnival of the Animals- by Sans Saens on her 21st Birthday to be greeted with a standing Ovation and a Chorus of Happy Birthday! We have enjoyed many concerts in St Gregory's Church and Canterbury Cathedral over the last three years, and are looking forward to seeing where Emma goes next. She is still having lessons with Anna and hopes to go the The Royal Northern next year to complete a Post-grad course and PGCE.
Emma is likely to play down her talents and strengths- but we are very proud of her, for her determination and dedication, and today as we celebrate. Well done Emma!
Just in case you wonder if life is all music, Emma is a keen sailor, and swimmer and often has her nose in a good book!
The photos.. Emma's beautiful smile, Friends together, , with mum and dad, and outside the Cathedral. More photos here.
