LCM is good for the course. LCM could be slightly clearer about assignment details and more support for students who did not come from a strong musical background. There are more opportunities here in the conservatoire than you would find at a university for any musician.

LCM is open till 3am on weekdays which is great for late night practising. During the day, this is a different matter as rooms are booked up extremely quickly by teachers and students so I do wish there were more rooms available. Can the college provide more free incentives please?

A lot of support is provided at LCM. Help is offered with careers, student finance and counselling. I used the counselling service myself due to my depression and anxiety and after having suffered a panic attack as a result of the loneliness I felt whilst living alone. After signing up for counselling, I was offered a counselling session once a week. This was incredibly useful and valuable to me and I felt like it was the first time someone listened to my problems properly.

Honestly, I was mostly unaware of the SU’s work until well into my studies. I wish the SU offered more societies and networking events, other events where you can take part in fun activities. It would be great to have this alongside all the intensive lectures we have.

Leeds has many things to offer as a city. The architecture is beautiful and I enjoy walks through the city. There are many concerts on show at the Town Hall, various cathedrals and in the many music venues in Leeds.

I have joined the LGBT society, their informal meetings are a great time to chill out with people. I was not aware of the sports societies LCM do offer until many months later, so I wish the SU had did a better job promoting and publicising these clubs for students to take advantage of. If LCM has anything to offer, you normally have to dig deep down somewhere to try and find something, it is very difficult to access this type of information on the online student portal. I have joined the symphony orchestra.

At LCM, meeting musicians who study the same course has been great because I have never had the experience of being with so many musicians in one place before. My favourite module is the performance module as the quality of the teaching is excellent. They encourage you to ask many questions as oppose to just “spoon-feeding” you information but at the same time making sure you understand everything before moving on with another part of the lesson. The solo and ensemble performance are compulsory modules, however, I do wish there were even more practical modules on offer.

LCM does not offer that much support in terms of helping you find work or offering working opportunities. The department that deals with jobs and vacancies in LCM are fairly unorganised.

I have not stayed in student halls in Leeds as I do not think they are of good value. I stay in my own private accommodation which is a lower floor of a Victorian house which I have all to myself. Of course, the downside to this is that it can get a bit lonely.

I have learnt so many things in LCM already and yet still many improvements I can make as a musician and the skills I have. I look forward to becoming the musician I will be when I leave the college.

The facilities are excellent. I am always booking practice rooms and making use of all the space and resources. I do wish the practice rooms were sound proof as practice can often be distracting if there’s anyone next door – which there normally is!

I have used the student support services to assist with application for post-graduate studies who were very helpful in filling forms and guidance on possible future courses.

The SU are organised and do a lot for the student community.

Leeds is an excellent city with lots to explore. I am only just beginning to discover what Leeds offers with music. I like the concert venues here and the plays that are on at the West Yorkshire Playhouse which is right next to LCM.

I take part in Chamber orchestra which is a great experience but the rehearsals are scheduled really poorly. They are condensed down to two intensive weeks of rehearsals which can last for 6 hours. This means that you do not have enough time to practice your parts and it also impacts on your on-going studies. This was organised by the senior faculty who need to address this issue.

The course is very practical and there are many playing opportunities for both soloists and ensembles. The lecturers are excellent and know what they are talking about, I have learnt a lot within musical theory and performance. I have raised some issues in regards to the setting of the performance assessments. Lower year students are examined in small rooms which feel very claustrophobic, and yet you are expected to perform in the Venue which has a 200+ seating capacity for your final year recital. LCM is lacking in the way of preparing you for real performances on a public stage.

The LCM VLE always advertise job opportunities for students to undertake during their time in LCM and post-graduation opportunities.

I live from home.