Ingrid Sawers

Musician and performer Ingrid Sawers - one half of the McKenzie Sawyers duo - explains how she followed a career path linked to her involvement in clubs and societies, and not her degree.

Your time at the University

The University of Edinburgh was a natural choice, being one of the most prestigious in the country and also being in a beautiful city. Even though I was a maths undergraduate, I knew that I also wanted to pursue my piano playing and musical activities, and so the vibrant musical life of Edinburgh and its university was an attraction.

Within the various societies, I gained experience as an opera and choir répétiteur, played orchestral piano parts, chamber music, accompanied singers and also performed solo piano works.

I also attended many concerts, most notably one directed by Edward Harper with renowned soprano Jane Manning performing Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire- it was a moment of almost Damascene conversion when I realised that music was all about sound and not just about pretty tunes! All of this experience made me realise that collaborative music was where my strengths and passion lay.

Tell us about your Experiences since leaving the University

On graduating, I decided to see how far I could take my musical interests and embarked on serious private study. I have gradually built up a flourishing ‘portfolio’ career as a freelance pianist.

Highlights include performing with broadcaster John Suchet in his Beethoven talks, playing at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and being presented to HRH Prince Charles, working with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies on his Strathclyde Concerto series, and in 2013 releasing a CD, ‘The Coral Sea’, on Delphian Records on which I collaborate with saxophonist Sue McKenzie.

I’m sure the ability to follow logical processes and analysis, skills which are essential in my work as an examiner, are assets which were honed during my time as a maths undergraduate.

I’ve performed throughout the UK, Ireland, in Europe and Canada. I’m also proud to have been accepted as an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and in this capacity I’ve had the chance to travel widely.

I’m sure the ability to follow logical processes and analysis, skills which are essential in my work as an examiner, are assets which were honed during my time as a maths undergraduate.

On a personal level, I was once (to the great hilarity of my family!) included in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper’s list of Most Eligible Single People in Scotland.

I continue to base myself in Edinburgh where I have a busy private teaching practice, including some current Edinburgh undergraduates, but I’ve also been invited as a visiting coach at various other colleges and universities in the UK, including RCS (formerly Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama).

Alumni wisdom

I was thrilled to be invited earlier this year to speak to some current Edinburgh music undergraduates about my time at the university and how it has influenced my subsequent career.

As various wise men have said, Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire, so amass every experience that the University of Edinburgh has to offer, enjoy it, and prepare to fly into the life thereafter.

Be proud to be a graduate of the University of Edinburgh - I know that I am.