April 2024
Mitt namn är Harry Hartstone. Jag bor i Palmerston North i Nya Zeeland. Idag är jag 23 år och arbetar i Nya Zeelands armé. Jag var på NMG under hela 2018 och det var min andra termin i tvåan och första termin i trean. Mitt huvudinstrument är fiol.
Efter NMG flyttade jag hem och gick på universitetet där jag studerade musik. NMG valdes åt mig av den utbytesorganisation jag åkte med och jag är så glad att de gjorde det! I’m going to change to English now so I can be a bit more precise 🙂
NMG has far fewer students per teacher compared to any other school I have been to. This is such a great advantage because the teachers can focus on individual students far more closely to make sure they are getting the right learning for how they are progressing. Having such a specialized school also fosters a fantastic culture for the students and since it’s a small group everyone tends to buy into that culture.
I found that my peers were patient and understanding with each other and lifted each other up when they were doing well and this was great to witness and be a part of. I wasn’t under any academic pressure at NMG, so while I tried my best in class, my grades weren’t a takeaway from my year.
The best thing about NMG for me would probably be that I was able to experience Sweden from the foundation of music. I had spent years of training beforehand in singing and violin so I had that sorted, and music is what helped get me into NMG, allowed me to go on those amazing trips to Västerås and Italy, played in some incredible venues around Stockholm and meet some awesome people who I still talk with to this day.
Most memorable part of my year was the final performance in the Concert Hall. I remember singing ”Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with one teacher accompanying and all my friends rushed the stage afterwards and gave me a big hug and it was such a kind gesture.
I learnt alot about empathy at NMG which I use today. In the army, empathy is few and far between but I think some people appreciate it!
Bild: Privat