Karolina Ogrodowska (23), Poland
17 Mar 2011
B in Flute – classical music department, Codarts, University for the Arts
Holland.
This country appeared in my life accidentally. I had never planned any studies outside of Poland, but when I received an opportunity to choose between a Polish and a Dutch conservatory I immediately knew and I treated it more as an adventure than a serious plan for my development.
World-calibre stars
After three years I can say that was a really good decision. Easy availability of scores, the best orchestras playing with world-calibre stars every week and really good student discounts for all the concerts, a great number of master classes, youth and semi-professional orchestras in which I could get an experience – these are only a few features I have not found in Poland until now. Even though my country is developing very fast over the last years and the music world is on a very good level there, the history of political changes and the economic mess are still blocking our cultural development.
Holland opened my mind, especially on contemporary arts, which is so common here and very marginal in Polish reality.
There are a lot of reasons why I like studying at Codarts. I think I am most happy about working in an international environment. Orchestra projects are often conducted by foreigners and almost always there is a huge number of nationalities among members of the orchestra. The mix of experiences, cultural differences and the spontaneous energy of young people from all over the world wonderfully influence our musical development.
Codarts Christmas Concert project
The last project I was taking part in was the Codarts Christmas Concert. A very ambitious repertoire played by a small orchestra ensemble – a wind quintet, string quartet, percussions and piano soloist. It was the Piano Concerto written by Robin de Raaf, composition teacher at Rotterdam’s conservatory.
Working on it was extremely interesting for me, because besides preparing the amazing piece of contemporary music (playing such a new orchestral piece of music is not common during a bachelor’s studies in my country) I also needed to learn how to play the piccolo and alto flute. It was a great challenge and huge experience for the future.
Besides the Christmas Concert I was also taking part in the Messiaen project conducted by Arie van Beek, a highly-acclaimed conductor connected with our conservatory. I had an opportunity to play a very rarely-performed piece in the old Laurens Church in Rotterdam.
