Nikki Fairgrieve
Soprano
On Placement with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
On the 26th of Janurary 2015 I began a placement with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This was organised through discussions with the Connect Department Director who timetabled me in for six days.
The timetable consisted of working and gaining experience in different departments, also in various locations between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The departments that I had the pleasure of working with were:
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Connect
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Marketing
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Concerts
The Connect department works on outreach projects which are delivered to young people, elderly and many members of the public. They have a residency in a primary school in Glasgow in which a composer and members of the Connect department go to and host workshops with the children in the creations of songs. I was priviledged enough to participate in this workshop and work alongside the children helping them expand and sculpt their ideas. With this department I was learning so many skills about putting together projects, marketing the projects with materials that the marketing department created. Also I was learning valuable communication skills whilst working and dealing first hand with members of the public; answering their questions etc.
Coming Back to Work with SCO Connect
On the 12th of March I signed a contract with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, this was for a Connect Department Internship.
I was able to work a few more events with the SCO during March these were helping me gain more trust with the orchestra and aided in me progressing to go to an event representing the Connect department on my own.
I have been continuing to help out the Connect department doing similar jobs to my placement with them. These included an Explore Day in Glasgow and a Creative Process event at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. These events helped build my confidence with the orchestra and I gained more knowledge on the work everyone does.
I hope to continue helping out at events and workshops with the Connect department and I hope to continue building on my skills, gaining more knowledge about the industry and the orchestra.
As the week progressed I was in working with the Marketing department helping with their social media campaigns for an upcoming concert, Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants. This was aimed at young children in nursery to early primary school ages. I was in charge of telephoning primary schools in the local area giving them information on the concerts and workshops that the Orchestra were holding. I was also responsible for advertising the concert on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
By the end of the week I was able to work with the Concerts department at the SCO. This included working in the music library completing notations on scores for the musicians. Then getting the responsibility to collect guest singer, Karen Cargill, from her hotel and making sure all her needs were met.
Working with Concerts was really good, as I was able to witness the ongoings backstage, and was responsible for having the musicians out on stage in time for starting the show, also making sure the interval times are kept correct and that musicians are all fine with their instruments etc.
Overall this experience is one of the starting points into my career in the music industry.
Please see the document on the right for feedback from the SCO Connect Director.
