So, it’s my final week at Eboracum Baroque- I can’t quite believe it! What a journey it has been! I remember the first week like it was yesterday- I remember feeling really overwhelmed with so much information thrown at me, and little did I know how much I was going to learn!
For me, the thing that drew me to this internship was the variety of different things I got to do- no day was the same whether I was using my social media marketing skills to put the weekly quizzes on social media or out in Cambridge to put some concert posters up, there was something different to sink my teeth into every single week.
I was also lucky enough to get involved in different projects throughout the year such as working behind the scenes for the ensembles new Messiah CD that was recorded during the pandemic back in 2020, including getting the CDs to our wonderful crowdfunding supporters. As well as this I was also involved in contacting primary schools and looking into sponsorship opportunities for the ensembles exciting education project: “The Story Orchestra- Four Seasons in One Day’ which will be taking place in schools across rural Lincolnshire this year-an area that doesn’t get many high quality arts projects such as this one.
I was also involved in helping out with front of house duties at concerts, including setting up the performance spaces and box office duties. Anyone that has been at the concerts recently will have seen me at the front desk selling tickets and programmes! I got to meet the lovely musicians as well who made me feel so relaxed and welcome, and it was so nice to see them play and the audience getting involved in live concerts- something we’ve all missed since the pandemic! The best part was definitely the FREE cake we got at one of the Orchard concerts as you can tell from all the excitement in the picture!
Throughout the year, I have gained and developed new skills in digital marketing, public relations, concert management and sponsorship to name a few and have grown not just on a professional level but also on a personal level! I have grown so much in confidence and achieved so much more than I ever thought possible- if you would have told me a year ago I would be contacting local radio and newspapers to publicise concerts, I wouldn’t have believed you!
As I look back on this year, I feel proud of myself for how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learnt! Being a part of Eboracum was not only my job, I truly felt like I was a part of positive change and I will cherish this experience for many years to come. Although I’m not quite sure what’s next on the table for me, I’m so excited to transfer the skills and knowledge I’ve gained to whichever job I decide to do in the future.
Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Chris Parsons for his support and guidance throughout, and for making this such a fun, rewarding and memorable experience- I couldn’t have done it without you! I wish the ensemble all the best for their future concerts!