American-born musician Julian Temple says his experiences completing a bachelor of music at the University of Otago had a profound effect on his life.
"I was on a surf trip around New Zealand in 2000, visiting my father who had just moved here with his Kiwi partner. I had mentioned to him at my sister’s university graduation the summer before, that I would not be attending a university when my time came as I wanted to keep surfing and playing music.
"He thought this was a great idea, but also believed that if I were to succeed then I would need a nudge in the right direction," the singer-songwriter, guitarist and frontman for Dunedin act Julian Temple Band says.
So his father arranged for him to audition for Graeme Downes’ contemporary music performance course, and he won entry. University study opened his mind to new ways of writing, performing and recording music.
"There were definitely some teething issues in my years doing the BMus as the contemporary strain was in its infancy ..., the 35-year-old explains.
"But each year seemed to improve, with new resources coming in, new staff, new papers, new gear and technology.
"It put me in among a plethora of highly talented musicians with skills far beyond mine ... Paul McLennan-Kissel, Julian Temple Band’s drummer for 12 years now, was in my same year. Our first album was a final-year project which we ended up touring to the States."
Nicky Richardson might not have toured overseas, but her musical journey at Otago University has been no less significant.
"Post-divorce, I decided I wanted to reshape my life and that’s what I have loved about doing a music degree. I have grown so much as a person."
The 41-year-old mother of one will graduate with a BMus (majoring in contemporary performance/voice) in December before embarking on postgrad business studies.
"At the start, I had people wondering why I was doing a music degree. The thing is, you really learn how to use your instrument. There is no hiding — and that is incredibly challenging.
"But with that comes growth. I have scared the heck out of myself for three years but have come out feeling like it’s the best thing I’ve ever done."
We shouldn’t ignore the artistic side of ourselves, as it speaks to our individuality.
Richardson says other, less artistic, aspects of music study are sometimes overlooked.
"The weird thing about about a lot of musicians’ brains are that they are creative but also incredibly analytical ... I think it has fantastic value."
