This term, visiting student from Germany Anna Jurgan has been part of the Music department; here, she reflects on the opportunities afforded by becoming involved.

Many of my most beautiful experiences during my time as an exchange student at Kent were in the music groups. I joined the Chorus and the Symphony Orchestra – the latter rather by chance: Not expecting the orchestra to have a vacancy for a percussionist, I contacted Sophie, the Music Administrator, to ask about opportunities to practise privately on university instruments. She not only offered me access to percussion instruments, but also encouraged me to join the orchestra. A bit of encouragement was needed, as it had been several years since I had played timpani or other percussion instruments in an orchestra. But the conductor Dan, my fellow percussionists Chris and Molly, and the rest of the orchestra where most welcoming and made my experience with them a pleasant one from the beginning of the term to the concert. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to make music with this group and to have found my way back to orchestral percussion through them.

Even more than the orchestra, I enjoyed being part of the choir. There I got to know other (mostly alto) singers, many belonging to other generations and living in and around Canterbury. Therefore, I experienced the weekly rehearsals as moments in which I could leave the ‘student bubble’ for a bit and meet persons I would hardly have met otherwise as a short-term exchange student. Another aspect that made me look forward to each rehearsal was the music itself: We were rehearsing Stephanie Martin’s Winter Nights for its UK premiere at the December concert. I had never heard this wonderful piece before, and I doubt I would have come to know and love it if it hadn’t been for the choir.

So now, as I leave Kent and its music groups after the exchange term, I take with me many fond memories of my fellow musicians and the music we have made together.

Anna Jurgan