From research to recitals!

Throughout my DPhil, I have played as a violist within the Oxford University Philharmonia (OUPhil) and Oxford Festival Orchestra (OFO). As a member of this orchestra, I’ve had the opportunity to perform pieces such as Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, and more, within the beautiful setting of the Sheldonian Theatre. Music has been a large part of my life since the age of 4, as I studied piano, violin, and viola throughout my childhood. Viola has been the instrument that stuck with me through the years, as I continued playing in orchestras throughout my undergraduate degree and now my doctoral studies. 

Being a member of the OUPhil and OFO has allowed me to set aside time for myself outside of my research to enjoy an artistic outlet and meet a group of people with similar interests and across different Oxford colleges. I’ve had the privilege of playing along guest musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and students from the Royal Conservatory and School of Music, which has allowed me to meet so many intriguing people who I would not have been exposed to had I stayed within the bubble of science and “Up-the-hill” in Headington.

Being a DPhil student requires dedication to your studies, with many days filled with lab work, reading literature, planning experiments, and writing. But I believe that it’s equally important for students to explore interests outside of this work that bring them fulfillment. The commitment of going to rehearsal necessitates me to schedule time to do something that I enjoy. Playing an instrument is technically challenging and consumes mental power, which allows me to stay in the moment and enjoy the music, without thinking about anything outside of the rehearsal. While I know that music may not be everyone's passion, I encourage others to find something that they can get lost in, outside of their work, and set aside time to do it.