Why Queen’s? The Influx of International Music Students Explained
By Ben Moroney
An innate passion for music has led me into my first year of Queen’s BA Music and Audio Production. The creativity, talent and diversity of those around me has allowed for a unique and valuable experience thus far. However, one thing I have noticed is the significant amount of international students studying alongside me. This puzzled me initially, as music courses are often thought to be essentially the same no matter the university or college. Therefore, I decided to explore the question of why Queen’s, and by extension Belfast, is such a haven for music students and musicians as a whole. What better way to do that than by asking my peers; who have left their home countries to immerse themselves in this vibrant, culturally rich city of music?
To be honest, I’ve been living under a rock. I barely know Belfast, feeling much more at home in cities like Dublin or Cork. They may be more recognised as tourist attractions, sure, but what I’ve very quickly come to realise is that Belfast, without a doubt, is the musical capital of Ireland. In 2021, it was awarded the prestigious title of UNESCO City of Music, the only city in Ireland to be granted this honour. On both a local and international level, the city’s musical culture thrives. Think of major international acts like Van Morrison, Snow Patrol or BICEP, and simultaneously the extraordinary live venues such as The Black Box or Voodoo. Therefore, it is easy to see why music students are attracted to Belfast. The city itself is also known for its affordability and friendly population, which is just icing on the cake.
However, this doesn’t answer the question of why Queen’s is so popular for music students. It can’t be all that dissimilar to any other university, right? On the contrary. I interviewed two of my peers to help me understand what the faculty offers and how it surpasses many others, not least those in Ireland. Matthew Reed is an English student studying BA Music Performance, and Luiz Sitorus is an Indonesian student enrolled in BA Music and Audio Production. Both had only positive things to say about what the university offers.
For Luiz, a major selling factor of Queen’s was how he felt music is a much more viable career path here compared to Indonesia. He thinks it is underestimated there, whereas Queen’s has strong industry links and a high rate of employment. Matthew agrees, remarking how the number of optional modules available can prepare students for various careers beyond just traditional ‘music’. I can attest to this also. There are modules on music business, modules on instrument design, and even modules on music psychology. This course truly grounds students in any and all aspects of music, not simply performance or songwriting. Obviously from a career perspective this is incredible, as it heightens the chances of employability of students, as well as not forcing them down one set path. For those like myself who are unsure of what will come after university, having a broad range of skills and options is incredibly important in this ever-shifting modern landscape.
Another opinion shared by both Matthew and Luiz was that Queen’s facilities are of the highest quality. There is a myriad of practice rooms, recording studios and specialised equipment available to music students to utilise at any time. Want to record a demo? Book a slot in the underground studios in the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). Feel like jamming with a few friends? There are several well-equipped ensemble rehearsal spaces under the main tower. Whatever you need, Queen’s has it. For a young musician like me, having access to these world-class facilities is truly a gift, as it allows me to develop my skills and embrace my passion. These amenities ensure improvement, enabling valuable hands-on experience that will surely serve us well in future. To add to this, there are numerous musical societies, such as the electronic music society and the choral and singing society. The latter particularly interests Luiz, as he has the opportunity to explore his interest in hymns and ensemble vocal performance. These societies are just the cherry on top of Queen’s blossoming music scene. No matter your interest, there are people you can share it with and learn from, ultimately making you a better musician.
This is only scraping the surface of how marvellous Belfast truly is for budding musicians, but nevertheless I hope it helps to show how wonderful this place is for music, and why international students are so drawn to it. It cannot be easier for new musicians to get a foothold here; especially with the musical courses available as they deftly balance academia with creativity. Belfast proves that music is truly at the heart of its culture.
