Aisling Martin - Music

Hi! My name is Aisling, and I am a first-year music student at King’s College, Cambridge. I previously attended Hewitt College in Cork from 2022 to 2024, where I studied English, Mathematics, French, Music, Biology, Economics, and Politics & Society for my Leaving Certificate. Alongside my academic studies, I trained in violin, piano, and musicianship from an early age at the MTU Cork School of Music.

My orchestral experiences include playing with the Cork Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, and the European Youth Orchestra Academy. I have a particular love for chamber music and have participated in numerous masterclasses, competitions, and festivals over the years.

It was during a chamber music course in the summer of fifth year that I discovered my interest in pursuing music at university. While I initially considered conservatoire training for performance and even auditioned successfully for a place, I realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted to explore music more broadly, including its theoretical aspects such as in-depth history and analysis, which ultimately guided my decision to study at Cambridge.

How I Made the Decision to Apply to Cambridge

Applying to Cambridge can be an intimidating process, but for me, it turned out to be a very rewarding experience. Researching the course, writing my personal statement, and preparing for the interview helped me understand my goals for university. The application required careful thought about whether the curriculum, college environment, and term structure suited me.

The guidance I received from Irish2Oxbridge was invaluable. Conor Hall and Patrick Hickey supported me at every stage: providing resources to understand the university better, reviewing my personal statement, and connecting me with a recent Music graduate from Gonville & Caius College.

Speaking with the graduate was very informative and motivating. We met over Zoom where I asked endless questions about life at Cambridge and the Music course. His insights, from the curriculum’s structure to the day-to-day student experience, gave me the confidence and motivation to apply. I found having firsthand information about the music course helped me feel more prepared.

The Application

My secondary school was really supportive throughout the application process. I highly recommend informing your subject teachers about your Oxbridge application early, as their feedback can be useful for your personal statement. Be sure to give advance notice to those writing your references - this was my violin teacher and the Vice Principal in my case.

It’s also essential to stay organised with deadlines for document submissions. Gathering, scanning, and uploading forms can take more time than you expect. This is especially true if you receive a conditional offer, as additional certificates and documents will be required. Missing deadlines can undermine all your hard work, so plan ahead!

Why Cambridge and Not a Conservatoire

Growing up, I attended a conservatoire daily after school, so I was very familiar with that environment. For university, I wanted a different experience, a place where I could interact with students from diverse academic backgrounds while pursuing my love of music. I also appreciated the unique structure of Cambridge, where the larger university is complemented by smaller, close-knit colleges.

Cambridge’s Music Faculty balances high performance standards with a strong academic foundation. Many students have trained at top conservatoires or music schools, which makes for great student productions. Additionally, Cambridge provides resources, bursaries, and opportunities to organise these projects, offering artistic freedom beyond what a conservatoire typically provides.

I was also interested in the University’s Instrumental Award Scheme, which you can audition for and potentially be offered a chamber music group. I was very lucky to be offered a place in a piano trio. We receive masterclasses from top teachers and are provided with many performance opportunities during the term. This combination of performance and academic breadth made Cambridge the perfect fit for me.

College Selection - Pooling

The Winter Pool is a process where, after your interview, you may be offered a place at a different college. This can happen if there aren’t enough places for your subject at the college you initially applied to or if your interviewers believe you might be a better fit at another college.

I applied to Gonville and Caius because I liked its central location and manageable size during the open day. I also had a great meeting with the Director of Studies, which made it feel familiar and welcoming. After my interview, I received an offer to read music at King’s college. I was surprised but very happy with this decision! I had visited King’s on the open day but hadn’t considered it as it seemed like a highly competitive choice. This is a common misconception about the college. It turns out that King’s is a fantastic fit for me. King’s boasts a larger music cohort compared to many other colleges, creating a supportive community of music students. The college offers excellent accommodation options, with particularly nice rooms allocated to music students. Additionally, King’s features a dedicated music floor in the library, a unique resource among Cambridge colleges. The opportunity to listen to the choir and perform in an orchestra in the world-famous Chapel is also an unforgettable experience.

My University Experience So Far

My typical day at Cambridge begins with lectures in the morning, followed by supervisions in the afternoon. In the evenings, I often have rehearsals for orchestras or chamber groups. I play in both the faculty-run orchestra, CUO, and I lead the student-run orchestra, CUSO. I also play at King’s college music society concerts. My favourite performances are with my piano trio and playing in student led projects.

The first-year curriculum is both broad and diverse, spanning a wide range of musical topics. It includes everything from Medieval Chant and Renaissance polyphony to contemporary music and the study of genres like Hip-Hop, such as artists like Kendrick Lamar. There are six papers in total, which includes both historical, analytical and theoretical aspects of music. Two of these papers are half-papers, offering the flexibility to choose subjects based on your interests, such as History Workshops, Extended Essays, Performance and Composition.

The supervision system, which is similar to one-on-one music lessons, is one of my favourite aspects of the course. For each paper, I have a supervisor, and sessions are sometimes one-on-one or in small groups of two. My supervisors challenge me to think critically, refine my arguments, and apply my knowledge across a variety of musical contexts.

For more detailed information about the specific papers and course structure, you can refer to the faculty website, which provides comprehensive insights into the curriculum and the resources available for prospective students.

Support at King’s has been incredible, both academically and pastorally. My college family has truly made Cambridge feel like home. My "mother," who studies music, and my "father," who studies English, are both in their second year. They have been so welcoming and have become good friends, offering helpful advice on managing my workload and providing reassuring words during busy times. I am also very close to my college siblings and cousins, who are all in my year. From attending each other’s concerts to swapping supervision times when needed. Even simple things like grabbing lunch together with a friendly face can brighten my day and remind me of how lucky I am to be here.

My Tips

Attend Open Days: Take advantage of the July and September open days to visit Cambridge. Exploring colleges in person allows you to get a feel for the atmosphere, facilities, and location. Open days are also a great opportunity to meet students and staff, providing valuable insights into college life and the application process.

Meet with Current Students: Connecting with current students is both inspiring and informative. Their firsthand experiences offer practical advice on personal statements, interviews, and what to expect at Cambridge. They can also help you envision life at the university and boost your confidence in the application process. Irish2Oxbridge can put you in contact with a student in any subject!

Consider College Choirs: If you enjoy singing, many colleges have choirs with varying levels of commitment. These choirs often provide scholarships, opportunities to tour, and other benefits. Auditioning after your application is well worth considering, as being part of a college choir can enhance both your social and musical experience at Cambridge.

If you’re considering applying to Cambridge, I highly recommend giving it a shot! The application process is very rewarding, and the preparation itself is an achievement to be proud of. If you have any questions about the Music course, King’s College, or Cambridge in general, feel free to reach out to me at aisling_martin@icloud.com or on Instagram @martin.aisling.

Don’t forget to follow Irish2Oxbridge on Instagram and LinkedIn for more updates and tips. We’re here to support you every step of the way!