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‘I did some singing and played the piano in my old primary school talent shows. I sang a few different songs across the years; in years 3, 4 and 5. When I was in year 5… 10 years old, I think, I sang ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel… I sort of changed the lyrics to be about the teachers at my school, and I won. I don’t remember even being that nervous, I just sang.’
Music has always been a big part of John’s life. He has participated in orchestras, choirs, and school productions over the years, but most of all, he loves the piano. He started learning to play it when he was 6 years old, and ever since then, it has been one of his favourite pastimes.
‘We have a piano at home and I play it a lot when I’m there. I’ll hear a song and then I’ll learn it on the piano and play it all the time, or I’ll just find something that sounds good and over the next few weeks I’ll keep adding onto that thing.
I heard a guy do a really cool piano rendition of ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ by Stevie Wonder, and I copied it from a Youtube video and then I would play that a lot. I remember playing it all the time in the Easter holidays before my A Levels.
And I remember playing ‘Under the Sea’… I loved that one for a while because I sang it with the Oxford Singers.’
Even though he has the craziest schedule at the moment (doing a degree in Maths and Computer Science isn’t exactly relaxed), John still makes time for music. As well as playing the piano, he loves to sing, and his main commitment at the moment is to the ‘Oxford Singers’.
‘So I joined the Oxford Singers at the start of last year, and I’ve been an avid member ever since. I wanted to get involved in something and I looked around some choirs and they were all auditioning ones, which I didn’t really want to do. So I found the Oxford Singers and yeah… you don’t audition, you just go!’
For John, music is about getting a break from the pressure of everyday work. It’s a distraction, and it’s fun. But I wondered why it was the Oxford Singers in particular that he enjoyed so much. When asked, he said:
‘The main thing I like is that it’s relaxed. You just sing, and it’s great. And if some weeks you’re really busy with work and stuff, you don’t have to go because there’s not any massive pressure to be there. But then I find that because there’s not a commitment to be there, I enjoy going. It’s stress-free. So I go, because in choirs and orchestras I’ve been in before and stuff like that, I just didn’t really like going because sometimes they make it intense and it’s like you HAVE to be there… but this one isn’t like that at all.’
John has quite an imperative role in the Oxford Singers. As well as singing, he accompanies them sometimes on the piano, and runs the website and the Facebook account. He has been a member of the committee since the end of last Hilary term.
Our degrees can sometimes become the centre of our identity, the sun that we revolve around. But hobbies like playing a musical instrument or getting involved in a choir can be so much fun. It can be relaxing and distracting to dedicate yourself to an art, like music. It can help us to find a sense of purpose outside everyday work, something to look forward to. John explained to me:
‘I always make sure I go along even if I have loads of work to do because I think it’s best just to have a break sometimes. It’s nice once a week to do something completely different.
For a couple of hours, I’m doing something that’s not maths but I don’t have to feel guilty that I’ve got work that I need to do…because it’s just that time in the week away from maths. It’s a routine, yeah.’
Joining a society can be really positive because like John said, it’s that established, timetabled part of the week where you can get away from work and not feel guilty about it, because it’s scheduled and that time is set apart. For John, the Oxford Singers is a necessary breather in the middle of the busy week.
‘I would recommend getting involved in societies because it’s just so much fun, and I know it might seem a bit daunting at first to just turn up and join an orchestra or join a choir or whatever you’re interested in, but there will be nice people, it’s worth it! It’s worth it.’
For John, music is a release from the stress of problem sheets and practicals, a distraction from the everyday chaos of lectures and tutorials. Although joining a society might seem scary or too much of a commitment, taking that time out of the week to engage in something that’s different from your degree can be so beneficial for your mental wellbeing and general happiness. And it’s a great way to meet new people as well!
Whether it’s music or something else, there is a society for almost everything, so start searching and get involved!