The first convocation of KM Conservatory of Music, of which Academy-award winner and the ‘Isaipuyal’ A R Rahman is the principal, was held at the K M College of Music and Technology here on Monday.
As many as 12 students got their degrees in music from the conservatory, which is offered in concordance with the Middlesex University, London. The course comprises a one-year foundation programme, followed by a two-year diploma programme in Chennai. Students complete the final year of the course at the Middlesex University.
During the course of their education, students gain exposure to concepts such as principal instruments and composition, Western and Hindustani Theory and music technology.
The event kickstarted with a Sufi concert and a rendition by the choir, both by students of the conservatory.
On the occasion, students reminisced about the days gone by, and how the institution has grown from strength to strength. While a few students considered students from all over the nation studying with them as an eye-opener in itself, others lauded the unique composition of the course that allows them to experiment with various streams of music. “We are certainly the new-age musicians, boosted by the fact that we have brand A R Rahman,” said Arathi, one of the graduands.
The students then lined up for the graduation ceremony and received the certificates from David Malpas, deputy registrar of Middlesex University. Director of the K M Music Conservatory, R Fathima, was among those present.