Hannah was initially attracted to ECA because of the variety of musical opportunities and topics to study. Enrolled on the BMus Music course, Hannah found her niche during the Music in the Community module which influenced her thesis on Makaton choir as well as further studies. After developing her musical practice and theory at ECA, Hannah went on to study Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University here in Edinburgh. Now qualified, Hannah works in a mixture of settings in the community such as schools, hospitals and charities. Hannah even plans to start her own Makaton choir very soon. 

Why ECA? 

I chose to study at ECA because of the wide range of academic options, creative practice and performance opportunities. My musical experiences prior to my undergraduate studies had mostly surrounded playing in traditional music bands and school ensembles, however, I was not quite sure what direction I wanted to take at University. The BMus (Music) programme at ECA allowed me to use the first two years of my studies to explore different opportunities. I was also drawn to the city of Edinburgh as I knew it would be a beautiful and vibrant place to live and study in! 

Tell us about your time at ECA 

My time at ECA was both rewarding and challenging. Although music performance, history and theory formed much of the focus of my first two years on the BMus programme, I found myself still drawn to making music with others, rather than individual performance, and to the psychology of music including the relationship between music, health and wellbeing. The flexibility of the BMus programme allowed me to choose a mix of modules in my honour's years, meaning I could create a pathway that supported my developing interests. These modules included music psychology, approaches to music education and community music. A highlight for me was the music in the community module facilitated by Dee Issacs. In both years 3 and 4 I contributed to the development and delivery of accessible and multisensory music workshops in schools for primary age learners with complex, long term and additional support needs. This module allowed me to build collaborative, creative and improvisational skills directly related to working musically with individuals and groups in various community situations. Although I worked mainly with groups of children, I found myself giving particular attention to the subtleties of the musical interactions between myself and the pupils and the development of intimate interpersonal relationships. This led me to explore and develop my understanding of different types of musical therapeutic interventions, including music therapy. 

Tell us about your experiences since graduating 

My graduation project for the BMus programme was a qualitative study investigating the experiences of individuals with learning difficulties who participated in an online Makaton choir. The motivation to explore this topic for my final year project was sparked by my personal involvement delivering community music workshops at schools where Makaton Sign Language was regularly used by both teachers and pupils. To support my own understanding, I began accessing online song signing videos, created by individuals and groups, which led to a more specific interest in Makaton choirs. On completion of this project my dissertation supervisor, Raymond MacDonald, encouraged and supported me to submit my research for publication and it was accepted by The International Journal of Community Music in 2022. This was an extremely positive experience through which I discovered an enjoyment and motivation for research that I did not realise I had. It has led me to get involved in other research projects and music conferences. 

Since graduating, I have gone on to study a master’s degree in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University. My eagerness to apply to train as a music therapist at the end of the BMus programme was very much influenced by my experiences on the music in the community course, and the skills I gained through practical workshops and on placement have stood me in very good stead since! I now work as a HCPC registered music therapist in a range of contexts including schools, hospitals, charitable organisations and people’s homes. However, my involvement in community-based musical activities have also continued and I will be leading an online Makaton choir from the beginning of the new year. 

Alumni wisdom 

Be curious - Take the first two years to explore different opportunities and develop your interests. 

Don’t panic! - It took time for me to discover what I really enjoyed and find a pathway that supported my strengths. 

Take advantage of all the contacts you make throughout your time at university - Lecturers and tutors are not only full of knowledge about the areas they teach but may offer valuable advice and support in the transition from university to employment.