McGill brings together a wide variety of students, each with unique passions and creative interests. While some choose to pursue their art through a Music degree, others take a more technical course of study and explore their creativity in their off-hours. While it can be hard to find time for yourself between all the essays and exams, these students shared how they found a way to explore their passion for music on campus.
Brandon McLeod, U3 Engineering and a member of the rock and blues band One Dime Ride, opened up about his experience as bass guitarist, which started truly growing at McGill.
“McGill provides opportunities through venues like the Blues Pub and Gerts, which are very open to hosting live bands [….] The Plumbers’ Band Room, where the Blues Pub takes place, allows students to use their equipment for free as long as it’s being used inside the room,” McLeod explained in a written statement to The Tribune.
On a similar note, DJ and mixer Nina Baby, U2 Arts, expressed that although her passion for mixing began when she was younger, she only started performing at McGill.
“My first gig ever was last year at Blues and I’ve mixed there multiple times since then,” she said. “It was really at McGill that I started, it really helped me and gave me so much visibility.”
She explained how she later played at Bar des Arts (BdA), Open Air Pub (OAP), and Gerts, making a bigger name for herself in the music scene.
Apart from performance opportunities, McGill also has a large selection of classes in the Music Program for students seeking to deepen their knowledge. For students like Arian Meh, U2 Arts and member of the band Blufin, McGill’s classes allow him to have a consistent time, place, and opportunity to explore music.
“University is so big and it’s easier to find like-minded people to share interests with [….] You can do a minor in Music or take electives in Music. McGill has plenty of systems in place to support a passion in music,” Meh said.
Baby similarly elaborated on how she applied for a minor in Musical Application of Technology, which focuses on music production.
“I hope to get in to be able to spend more time doing [music] and also spend time in studios and really learn how to do the production,” she said.
However, it is not always easy to take on a Music minor if you are already pursuing an unrelated major program. Balancing daily responsibilities, living independently, having a social life, and doing schoolwork can easily get overwhelming. Some therefore find ways to reduce their academic workload.
“I decided to take four classes instead of five this year, so I have more time to do it all,” Baby expressed. “It’s still a challenge. I’m trying to learn how to manage.”
Hence, she advises other students pursuing music alongside another major at McGill to manage their time effectively.
“My advice for someone trying to accumulate experience at McGill would be planning ahead and well to gain time and prioritize what is important,” noted Baby.
McGill offers an exceptional environment for artistically driven students looking to cultivate their creative passions while partaking in the academic world. Whether you are a band member, a photographer, or an aspiring journalist, the school’s various venues, classes, and student-run initiatives are great opportunities to grow and learn.
“I play as many concerts and shows as I can; I write and record as much as I can,” Meh said. “School comes first, but it only lasts four years while a passion will stick all life.”
