Folkwang

folkwang is... self-organization

For a good month and a half now and until further notice, students have been banned from entering Folkwang. How are students spending their days in this situation? What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying online and how can you stay positive and diligent with fewer concrete goals? And how do you create the right time frame, which is normally determined by everyday university life?

StudiScout Mihajlo Milošev spoke about this with violists Milena Geraedts and Lucía Molina Álvarez from the classes of Prof. Lubbe and Prof. Cantor.

Lucía Molina Álvarez | Photo: Marta Suárez Cota

Teaching at Folkwang is currently taking place online in a variety of ways. What does that look like for you?

Milena: Apart from the fact that we regularly send videos and receive feedback as text, video or directly via Skype, the rest of the events work very differently. We use different formats - from Zoom and YouTube to simple online discussions via email or writing essays. At the beginning of the semester, we had an etude challenge, the so-called "Corona-Kreutzer-Challenge", where each student practiced a specially chosen etude for a week, a new one every week. We also received regular feedback for this. However, class auditions are difficult to organize for various reasons - for example, when repetition plays a role.

Lucía: We have to send two videos to Prof. Cantor every week: one new etude and one piece from the repertoire. If the etude goes well enough after a week's work, you can concentrate on the next one. If not, keep practicing it. Chamber music, for example, also runs very regularly. We have been given a piece and are asked to listen to two different interpretations of it, which we then analyze in great detail. Then we meet in a video conference and everyone gives their comments. Everyone also practises their voice for themselves.

Chamber music lessons at home | Photo: Lucía Molina Álvarez

Are there advantages or disadvantages for you in the creative semester with online teaching?

Milena: I would say 50-50. On the one hand, you have more time to work on technical things and literature, for which there is often little or no time during the semester. On the other hand, there are things in your studies that are almost impossible to do online, e.g. orchestral or chamber music projects. I think that music students who play an instrument that is more likely to be used in an orchestra than as a solo instrument are particularly affected by these circumstances. I really enjoy playing in groups, which is why I have to plan my time very well in order to stay inspired and hard-working, because the structure of everyday life no longer comes so naturally. In any case, it's easier to follow through with specific goals.

Lucía: For me, there are more disadvantages. I miss the acoustics in the rooms at the university. My room is not acoustically suitable for practicing. In the long term, I believe that the rooms can influence your playing. I was particularly looking forward to Mahler's first symphony, which we were supposed to play this semester. Of course, that has now been canceled and I miss the human contact in the orchestra and in chamber music. However, theoretical courses are no more difficult than usual because everything is well organized and explained.

How do you manage to stay organized and work?

Milena: I set my alarm clock at roughly the same time every day, even at the weekend. I also have a bullet journal that has plenty of space for drawing. I sometimes get inspiration for this from digital media. This creative approach helps me to overcome difficulties with (self-)organization. I also have a practice diary. This makes it very easy for me to keep track of how and what I have practiced, what has improved and what has not improved. Sometimes I have the same problem for weeks, but I can also see that I've made progress. When the weather is nice, I take every opportunity to go for a walk and enjoy nature. This allows me to draw a clear line between productive and relaxing activities.

Bullet Journal: Milena's method of self-organization in the creative semester | Photo: Milena Geraedts

Lucía: I'm pretty well organized. I get up at roughly the same time every day. Then I get ready as if I had to go out, but I go into the living room. If there is homework or theory, I do it first and then I practise. So, first priorities, then relaxing. I like to read by the window in the sun, paint and bake from time to time. I'm in Spain at the moment and for a few days now, after more than a month, you're allowed to go for a walk once a day and only at a certain time. That's why you want to have everything done by 8 p.m. so that you can go for a walk with a clear head.

Mihajlo Milošev

A contribution as part of the "Folkwang StudiScouts " project