Exam season has started and the energy at the Royal Conservatoire is electric! We'll be shadowing some of our most talented musicians and dancers. Dive into their daily routines, discover their study hacks, and witness firsthand the passion that fuels their artistic journeys.
Today, we take a closer look to another graduating musician's daily life: Ebony Lim, a Bachelor student in early music Violone.
Playing an exam on one instrument is challenging enough for most people, but Ebony decided that she wanted to make a programme featuring as many as 3 different instruments: the 8’foot violone, the ‘regular’16foot double base and the 16’foot Viennese Violone. In putting together the programme she looked for pieces which were most suited to give all those different instrument a starring role and made it possible to play together with other students. She will play in all kind of different settings from triosonate to small orchestra.
Ebony’s exam will be on the 15th of May at 11.30h in Studio 2
Three instruments in one exam
Playing an exam on one instrument is challenging enough for most people but Ebony decided that she wanted to make a programme featuring as many as 3 different instruments: the 8’foot violone, the ‘regular’16foot double base and the 16’foot Viennese Violone.
In assembling her program, she sought out pieces that would highlight each instrument and allow for collaboration with other students. She'll perform in various settings, ranging from trio sonatas to a small orchestra.
Practice routine
Managing three different instruments poses time management and logistical challenges for Ebony: "I don’t have access to all the instruments at home, so I have to plan my practice sessions around whether I'll be able to practice at school. My main struggle right now is finding enough time in a day for all the practice I need. I try to organize my day into blocks, dedicating an hour to each instrument per block."
Precision in every single note
"Typically, I begin my practice sessions with scales, then move on to playing through a piece to identify areas needing improvement. I focus on refining these sections by isolating small portions, often just two bars, and working on them meticulously, alternating between practising with and without a metronome and trying out different rhythms until I've mastered them. Then I start over the same process in another section of the piece.
As the exam approaches, stress mounts, emphasizing the importance of precision in every note, especially when playing alongside fellow musicians who depend on my cues and interpretation of the music."
Dealing with nerves
"I practice playing in front of other people in order to deal with the stress. I know that I will sometimes get shaky with performances so I try to practice grounding myself. I heard that eating bananas is supposed to be good for you, but I don’t like banana’s so instead I eat some sweets during my exam to keep my sugar level on top. Between pieces I will go of stage and eat a jellybean.”
The start of a musical career in the Netherlands
Ebony, originally from Australia, envisions her post-graduation years unfolding in the Netherlands. She eagerly anticipates diving into the world of freelancing, seeking out exciting opportunities to expand her musical horizons. Her ultimate dream? To grace the stage of a big orchestra, perhaps even the prestigious Orchestra of the 18th Century.
Don’t miss out on Ebony’s exam!
Just like all other students' exams, Ebony's exam is open to the public and completely free.
Click here for more information on all the exams
Ebony’s exam will be on the 15th of May at 11.30h in Studio 2
