Izzy Francis shares her experience with A Level Music at Shrewsbury Colleges Group.
Izzy Francis has just completed her time with us studying Music, Fine Art and English Literature A Levels at the English Bridge Campus. Although she enjoyed each subject, there was one in particular she grew very fond of; Music! Read all about Izzy's Music Journey at Shrewsbury Colleges Group below.
Why did you choose music at SCG?
"From the very first open day I knew I wanted to study music at SCG. The course has its own floor with a classroom, rehearsal room, computer room and several practice rooms, which inevitably became a home for everyone on the course. Chris was lovely from the very beginning and is not only an incredible teacher, but a pillar of support and a friend. I chose to study music because it’s always been a part of my life, but I chose SCG for the people who made music a safe space for everybody involved."
What have you enjoyed most about the course?
"The thing I’ve enjoyed most about the course is the friendships I’ve made along the way, with both students and teachers. Music became the place we would all relax and hang out, building friendships that will last way past college."
Have you been on any trips with music?
"I’ve been on two trips with my music class to the Birmingham symphony hall. We got the chance to watch talented musicians play beautiful pieces relevant to our course, which was great for our studies as well as our enjoyment!"
What is your favourite memory from A Level music?
"I have far too many good memories to pick a single favourite, but one of them would have to be in my first year of college, where some of the people from my class went to watch the second years perform in the Abbey, just down the road. Afterwards, we all went back up to the music floor and sat together, chatting and joking until we eventually had to go to whatever class we had next. This was the first time our years bonded, and after this we became inseparable. I met some of my closest friends (and my partner of over a year) on this day!"
What will you miss most about the course?
"The thing I will miss most is going up to music in every spare break I had, knowing I’d be greeted by my favourite teacher/favourite friends, probably singing and playing the piano while eating lunch."
What would you say to an applicant student considering taking music at SCG?
"My advice to anybody considering music at SCG: if you are a musician, or you just love music full stop, this course will literally change your life for the better. Not only will you become a better musician, you will make friendships that last a lifetime and will find a safe space that will always welcome you on a bad day, or whenever you just want to take a break from the stresses of growing up. You don’t have to be the next Mozart, you don’t even have to take grades on your instrument, you just have to have passion and an open heart."
Izzy - We're so glad you had such a lovely experience with us here at SCG and wish you all the very best for your next chapter, we're sure it will be extraordinary.
If you'd like to follow in Izzy's footsteps, explore our music courses below: