By
David Dewar
Bristol, UK
I'm raising £4100 minimum to start a research degree with Bristol University which will not only throw light on a relatively overlooked English composer of the twentieth century, but will also equip me with very useful skills which I shall plan to share with others, whether fellow students, prospective students, or interested members of the general public of all ages. These skills are specifically in the areas of research, investigative, evaluation, written expression, presentation, communication - and so are potentially valuable to all.
The minimum amount covers the university's fees for the first year. The additional £2500 (making the total of £6500) covers travel to and from repositories of information/artefacts related to the research subject, and to/from the university - together with any necessary materials and access fees, etc., to libraries and other research resources.
Yes, it's musicology. It's specifically research into the music and influences of a composer called Eric Thiman, who lived rom 1900 to 1975. He seemed to be very influential in his day, but has been somewhat overshadowed by some of his peers, and some who came later. Nevertheless, his music is still relevant today - and he could even be compared, I think, in contemporary popularity and influence with such well-known luminaries as John Rutter.
Recently a new repository of music and various artefacts from his life has been set up in the English Midlands - it's therefore an opportune time to examine the nature and extent of influences on him as a composer, and his influence on others. The research will, of course, have other related strands which inform the main thrust.
Not only do I think the subject is important in placing a significant figure properly within the historical context, but I also believe that the skills I shall acquire in doing it will be shareable with many other people who may (hopefully) also go on to recognise and realise their own talents in research - whether they are young or mature students.
By donating to this research project, I believe you will have the satisfaction of knowing that worthwhile, and already approved by means of Bristol University's offer to me, research into our cultural heritage will be supported; that you will be helping to spread skills applicable to many areas of research; that you be contributing directly to the well of knowledge within Western musical tradition; and that you will help a mature student on a very low income fulfill a newly discovered enthusiasm and aptitude for academic work!
The minimum sum, £4100, represents the first year's university fee - nothing more and nothing less.
The full target represents (a) the university fee, as above, together with (b) a further £2400 to facilitate the 'material' of research, i.e. such items as travel to libraries, and to interview people, travel to and from the university, books, and so on. In the event of raising the minimum amount only, I expect to try to find a smaller variety of these materials from within my own resources.
I will make at least weekly blog posts about progress of research and related matters from the start of the univerisity semester in September, 2015.
So, here is an overview of costs:
Here is an image of Eric Thiman, the subject of my research:
And a dreadful one of me, practising at the chuch where I am DofM!
Follow me to find out what I'm doing, and how the study is going!
- In fact, share it with everyone you know as it's a great idea, and the more people who know about it, the more likely it is that this will work out brilliantly.
- And I know I said you don't need to give money to help me, but I'd really like it if you did! Please sponsor me and help make this happen.
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
0 claimed
and you will be invited to join my *exclusive* research blog, which I'll run for the duration of my degree. I'll be publishing easily digestible summaries of all the essays and other materials I produce (I expect this to develop during the project), discussions about ideas I am introduced to, debates I have or witness, ideas I pick up from lectures, seminars, and other meetings, thought-provoking quotes I find, and anything else I think you'll find interesting, educational or entertaining. The blog will be not be searchable via Google, and will only be available to donors.
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 September 2015
to be invited to the private blog and receive, via email, a picture of me in my subfusc, holding a pint of bitter (almost certainly Young’s), in a really, really good local hostelry taken on the day that I finish my final exam, with an accompanying thank-you message.
2 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 September 2016
to receive all of the above, plus a progress report at the end of each term, to let you know how things are going and what plans are emerging over the horizon.
2 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 March 2016
to receive all of the above, plus a hand-written thank you message on a Bristol postcard.
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 October 2016
to receive all the above, plus a thank-you shout-out on my professional website, www.daviddewar.org.uk. I will contact you before I run this feature post on your donation, to find out whether there is anything you specifically want me to include (information about a project you are organising, for instance).
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 December 2016
to receive all of the above, plus a signed copy of my dissertation/thesis at the end of the research. (I will ask you whether you want to receive it by email or by post.) Additionally, I would be happy to give an organ recital on a suitable instrument of your choice within the UK - at a date to be negotiated and free of performance fee.
0 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 December 2016