Chiaki HIRATA / Trumpet / Royal Northern College of Music / Manchester , UK

After graduating from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, I went on to the Royal Northern College of Music in England.
He studied trumpet under John Miller and cornet under Richard Marshall.
In the field, he joined the Brighouse and Rastrick Band and also performed in the Black Dyke Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, etc.

Hirata: I graduated from a high school with a music department in my hometown of Okayama prefecture and went on to Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.Trumpet started in junior high school club activities, and cornet started in college.

Hirata: There was a class called "British Brass" at the university, where I first met an English brass band and became absorbed in it!

Hirata: I wanted to study a brass band, so I wanted to go to Manchester, which is a thriving area, instead of London, England.I was introduced to the English brass band teacher, sensei, who was in charge of the British Brass class at Senzoku Gakuen every time, and when I looked it up, I found that sensei I wanted to learn from before was also enrolled, so I decided to go to the Royal North Conservatory.
Also, if you have any memories of the exam or stories of difficulties, please let us know.
Hirata: My school has a lot of international students, so the performance was okay with video screening.In addition, I submitted a few papers on A4 paper.The hardest part was the language IELTS test.I was happy when I took the exam several times and finally reached my goal score.

Hirata: After all, it is a collection of documents for obtaining a visa.I had to have my bank account proof and a copy of my family register translated, and it took longer than I expected, so I was really glad that I had enough time to prepare.
　
Hirata: After graduating from university, I was preparing while working part-time for a year.
　
Hirata: I asked my parents, and when I passed the exam, I got a scholarship from the university.
　
Hirata: I attended a classroom specializing in British English and also used Skype lessons on the Internet.I attended a language school held by a university locally, but speaking locally was completely different from studying in Japan, so if you have any concerns, it is better to go to a language school as well. I think it will increase.
　
Hirata: It's an international school.I made friends from various countries.The school itself is a single building, so after the concert in the concert hall, we all chatted at the cafeteria and bar next door.

Hirata: About 5.6 people.Occasionally, I meet a half-child with a local Japanese.Whether or not you can speak Japanese varies greatly from person to person.

Hirata: Everyone can talk on an equal footing than in Japan.Also, classes in each department were held frequently, and I had many opportunities to play in front of someone.

Hirata: Basically, I think it's not much different from Japan, such as gathering in the classroom and listening to sensei's lectures and having individual lessons.However, the better music terms and symbols are different in each country, so I think it's better to study this.

　 Hirata: I originally knew sensei, which is world-famous for cornets, so I asked that person.

Hirata: I was practicing in the practice room of a school that requires online reservations and in my own room in the dormitory.

Hirata: There are occasional off-campus concerts related to school classes, but since I belonged to a local band, my off-campus activities were very intense.Britain is the birthplace of brass bands and contests and concerts are held everywhere.Basically, on weekday moon and tree nights, some of my friends got in the car and went to rehearsals, and there was always a concert on either of the holidays.I had many opportunities to actually play in many local top bands, and it was a very good experience.

Hirata: Before the lecture in the morning, I went to the lecture after having breakfast and office work.In the afternoon, there were lessons and ensemble classes, and on the band's rehearsal day, we gathered around 18:23 and went to the rehearsal room by car.The rehearsal day was basically XNUMX:XNUMX, so it was fulfilling every day.

Hirata: Basically, I think there are many introductions to sensei that I am learning at first.I think that the performers I met from there will give me another chance to perform, and I will be able to get to know sensei from other countries in the master class held at the school.

Hirata: I think that a lot of information can be shared among students because there are no seniors or juniors.Also, when asked by sensei, I got the impression that many students can express their opinions clearly.

Hirata: I practiced for the next rehearsal and concert, and when I wanted to change my mood, I went shopping in the center of the city.Also, Manchester doesn't have many Japanese restaurants, so I was researching how to get closer to Japanese food with the ingredients available at local supermarkets.

Hirata: I think it's all about talking a lot.When you find a common topic, it gets really exciting!

Hirata: I lived in a playable student dormitory introduced by the school.

Hirata: It's about 9 yen including the rent (about 14 yen).

Hirata: In brass bands, there are often charity concerts in the area where the band is enrolled, but I was very happy that they often came to express their impressions after the performance.

Hirata: As with musical growth, I've become able to express my opinions internally, and I've become shy.

Hirata: I'm currently working as a counselor at And Vision!

Hirata: I think studying abroad will definitely change your way of thinking about music and your outlook on life.After all language learning!The more you prepare, the more intense time you can spend.Please do your best!