Interview: Matthew Loughran, Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts student
Published: 03 July 2007
I am studying a BA in music; my main focus is in musical direction and piano. I got a place on the course after coming in for an audition in which I had to perform two contrasting solo pieces and an ensemble piece.
The first year was really varied; it gave me a chance to try out different things before deciding what I wanted to specialise in. Everyone had modules in composition, which consisted of songwriting as well as the more classical arranging and orchestral work, and components in production, which included working in a recording studio. There was also a performance side to the course, which was made up of ensemble and solo performance. The first year concluded with an end-of-year project in which I worked with singing and acting students to put on the musical Children of Eden.
As I progressed through the three years I honed in on what I was most interested in and decided to concentrate on the performance and compositional side of the course.
This year has been more independent. Last summer I was offered a job as an assistant musical director at a theatre company called Chris Moreno Ltd. The way that my course is structured meant that I was able to incorporate my professional work into my studies.
Through Chris Moreno I got to work on two cruise ships with P&O cruises, directing productions aboard the ships. I travelled to Egypt, Africa and South America - it was great to experience all that travel.
Because LIPA was founded by Sir Paul McCartney, we get a lot of well-known people giving us masterclasses. We've had Dawn French and the playwright Willy Russell come in, which has given us a real taste of what goes on behind the scenes. I'm coming to the end of my time here and will be assessed on the continual progression of my performance, which includes the stuff I have done at LIPA as well as my work on the cruises.
I have enjoyed it a lot. LIPA offers courses in music, acting, dance, as well as the technical side of performance and management support. A big plus of being here has been the way they encourage you to work as a unit. It is not a spoon-fed course, you have to go out there and find stuff yourself, which is the reality of what the industry is like.
When I finish, my plans are to carry on with musical directing; ultimately I hope to work in the West End. My advice to anyone wanting to pursue a similar career is to always keep your options open and don't be afraid to try any opportunities that come your way. I have taken lots of opportunities that haven't worked out and a lot that have and it's led me to where I am now, which is great.
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