More queries than answers...

Ok,

So in my little time here in Manchester, I have learned a lot about the local culture and about English living in general. For the most part, everything in Europe is smaller. The bathrooms, bedrooms, cars, people, everything is a wee-bit closer together.

I am however learning some new words, which I will share with you now.

- bits & pieces = odds and ends
- get at it = give it a shot
- half 2 = 2:30 (the time, this does not mean 1:30, like I thought it should)
- car park = parking garage
- quid = pounds = currency (this one really confused me for a bit)
- pissed = drunk
- meter = 40 inches
- query = question
- que = waiting line

So, I am learning all this new dialect, and it is just fascinating. I don't think that I have begun to engulf any of these words into my vocabulary, but one of my roommates is from Ireland - so I have begun to hear my inner monologue with a Irish accent. Strange, I know.

Today was full of meetings, where we were hit with a barage of paperwork and more importantly, people began to give us information. I am pursuing a PG (Post Graduate) Diploma, otherwise known as an Artist's Diploma. Basically, it is a Master's Degree without a paper requirement (thesi/dissertation). So, here is what I have to do:

I have to complete 120 credits by the end of the school year. 60 of these will involve my studio instructor (Steven Mead), and this will include lessons/studio class/various studio related things. Also, my recital will be a portion of this grade. In addition to this, I have to take (3) 20 credit classes. From this, there are many things. I can take band (actually, I'll probably have to take band), chamber music, arranging, recording techniques, other misc. things. Also, I can devise my own class. Everything here seems to be somewhat of a guided study. Meaning, that classes don't meet persay, but moreover the student simply 'checks-in' with his/her teacher every now and then to update them on their progress.

So, I'm thinking - this is nice, no classes. But, it does seem like a lot of work. I do see how this would be hard to pull off outside of the conservatory setting - meaning that if you procrastinate even slightly - you would be seriously in a world of hurt. But it was nice hearing the principal of the school saying, "I know practice is the most important thing that you do... but, make time for socializing." That was wonderful to hear. No mention of diagnostic testing, deficiencies, etc. A truly unique approach to music.

I had my first experience with the Curry Mile, which there is a picture of it next to this paragraph. About a miles walk down Oxford Street (the main drag), there is a section of restaurants that would be similar to an Indian version of China Town. There are restaurants everwhere. And, today Sean Oden (another euphonium player from the US - who is starting the first of his undergraduate years here at the RNCM) and I went to the Curry Mile and ate dinner. It was good, but kind of like Greek food, I wasn't sure what I was eating (probably didn't want to know either), but it was really good. It began to rain on the way back to the dorms, but not too hard. The locals say that it rains about 250 days a year here in Manchester. Never for very long, but there is rain, everyday.

Well, that's about it for me right now. I have the next few days off, which I will spend relaxing and getting some time 'behind the horn.' But, for everyone who has written - thank you. It is great over here, but I will definitely be ready to come home at Christmas. For those of you that would like it, here is my mailing address at the RNCM.

Pat Stuckemeyer
A4-1C
Sir Charles Groves Residence
Booth Street West
Manchester M156PG
United Kingdom

Take care for now!

- Pat