It can be easy to find out about the UCCF Music Network through your CU at university, and yet not make the most of it: student life is busy, and some universities - especially like mine, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow - can feel very far away from the action. But the 10-year celebration of the Music Network changed all that - and what a joy it was to be a part of it!
Connecting with others, harvesting God's gifts, learning lots
The day began with a picnic - a lovely way to connect with new students and alumni across multiple conservatoires and universities. As an RCS student, I was able to meet with friends from the Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama who told me all about how God was using them in music and what they were aiming for as a career in the music industry.
After lunch, the event consisted of two main sessions filled with musical performances and interviews: a variety of talent was showcased, from Irish folk music to flute trios and trumpet performances. Seeing older and younger musicians perform was a pleasure to experience, since all of these extremely talented performers were harvesting God’s gifts with humility and passion. The interviews with Tom Chevis (Music Network co-ordinator) and with alumni musicians were very insightful, all of them speaking wisdom and biblical truth into the challenges of being a Christian musician today - I gained so much knowledge, e.g. learning more about what I can do as a student to get involved and spread the good news of Jesus to my peers whilst studying. For example, even when the people and industry around you might want to lead you astray, following Jesus might mean taking a step back from certain behaviours, and that that can be an opportunity to share God’s love.
After having been treated to a delicious afternoon tea of Prosecco and homemade cake, the second half began with us hearing from our supporters who help sustain the Music Network both financially and prayerfully. They gave us insight into how the network is run - for example, I learnt that the network not only works with students at universities across the country, but also graduates starting their careers - and the value we as musicians have in the world. My favourite piece of advice was from veteran supporter and ex-UCCF CU staff worker (when she covered pretty much all of England!!) Joy Horn:
If you don’t get a career as a musician, but God calls you somewhere else, it doesn’t mean you have failed: no career is second best in God’s eyes.
This stuck with me and I hope to use the knowledge and biblical teaching around our identity being in Christ and not in our instrument as a tool to finding peace and joy in a whirlwind industry.
The wisdom of wiser and older Christians is not something to be missed out on! We had the pleasure of hearing from Christians who have had a career, or are in the midst of their career, and how they themselves got through challenging periods of life, such as holding Christian values in an industry which has moved away from them. It is encouraging to know that other people feel the same pressures.
A great blessing
Overall, the whole day was a blessing to be a part of and I encourage any young musician to come along to the Music Network events. Being part of a community with such joy and love is a breath of fresh air away from our busy conservatoire lives!
Without the wisdom and support of the Music Network staff workers, being a musician would be a lot harder.
