I am a 22-year-old student from Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, studying for an MA in musicology at the University of Manchester. I hope to start a PhD at the University of Salford later this year, looking at the historical-musical narrative of the Madchester era. The Guardian’s music coverage – particularly articles on the topic from Luke Bainbridge and Miranda Sawyer – will provide a useful point of reference.
Alongside my studies I teach the piano to beginners as part of a tuition service I set up. I hope Bach in a Minuet Piano Tuition will catch on in the near future. I’m a Manchester United supporter, and a huge AC/DC fan. The Guardian’s music reviews and features are my first port of call for any new album releases as they cover a wide range of genres, styles and topics and have inspired me to write my own articles for the Manchester University student paper, the Mancunion. Guardian articles help with my studies. My dissertation was on the psychological effects of background music in retail spaces; a 2013 Alan Yuhas article on muzak proved very useful.
My parents don’t read the Guardian but love how I have chosen to read it without any outside influences. I started taking more of an interest in Guardian articles shortly after I left school. Students (the vast majority I’m assuming) have liberal leanings, even if they are not politically inclined. I also align myself to the left of the political spectrum, and when I first started reading Guardian articles online concerning social issues, I shared similar perspectives and stances. It would be nice to get more student contributors involved.
I don’t get the printed copy of the paper as often as I should, but I use the Guardian app on my phone daily and follow the Guardian, and its music account, on Twitter. I can trust the Guardian for credible information, well-researched and balanced opinions, written by experts in their field.
