So it's been a dream of mine for a while to actually study composition, and I'm excited to announce that I've accepted a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to start a masters degree in September! I'm really looking forward to getting more opportunities to compose for live performers and ensembles. My current university's wind band is already going to be playing a piece I wrote for them, in a concert in two weeks time. Maybe one day I can actually become professional :)

The course is also super expensive (of course), and I've started a GoFundMe to try and help a little: https://www.gofundme.com/stuarts-postgraduate-study

If anyone is able to contribute even a small amount (consider it buying me a coffee) I would really appreciate it!

i hope ur not going into debt for this and i hope u make some sick connections there. good luck! i think you're already a great composer for what it's worth :)

was gonna donate a couple bucks thru paypal but apparently gofundme doesn't support that option :( you have my full support either way and i hope it all goes well !!

omg stewboy has a human body!

Yes I am actually not a timpani in real life

Wow rad! You're def one of my favorite botbrs so I'll def buy you a coffee :D

Come to italy for your next degree! here music school (and post secondary education in general) is ridiculously cheap! :)

And obviously gratz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I already wish u much luck my friend

nice! you may need a few jumpers.

Congrats!
Try your best or do your worst! :P
But makes us proud :D

Amazing! Good luck!

I believe studying music is a bad idea. Being the grumpy old granddad I am, I do tell that to everyone. ;)

I just know plenty of people who ruined their tween years getting fixated on studying music, and earning a living as a composer. Seems to me only a small percentage of music university graduates actually end up earning a decent income from making/playing music.

Make sure you have a plan B ready, in case this doesn't work out the way you want it to.

i sort of agree but on the other hand it seems just about everyone who graduates college these days has trouble finding work so fuck it yolo. that's why i emphasized making connections since that's probably more important for landing a job of this kind (and many other kinds) than actual skill

it's true that it doesn't work out well/as expected for an overwhelming majority, no matter the skill level. there's no belief or opinion or cynicism about it, it's just an objective fact. however, viewpoints of 'ruin' are what the mere opinions and beliefs and projections are.

bon voyage stewboy!

Yeah jeez I'm pretty sure that stewboy's not going into this with dollar signs in his eyes or anything, and understands what going to music school means at least a little bit, just let him do what makes him happy, sheesh

gl with the music! gonna try and contribute a lil bit sometime soon

slimeball: I understand what you mean, and I don't really have a long term plan still. However, I reckon I've got a good shot at making at least a large part of my living through music. I've already been getting professional gigs as a performer (though not many so far), and I have faith in my compositional abilities - I have a wind band piece being premiered next week, and the conductor has already strongly hinted that he reckons it might get performed by other groups (he has plenty of connections overseas himself!). I'm good at networking in weird places and finding niches, and I'm easy to work with.
Thanks for the support everyone! :)

Be sure to let us know if you get a chance to have any of your BotB music performed by a real ensemble!

Overheard during my years at music school:
"I can't wait until I graduate, then I'll be able to afford rent AND food!"