The student leader's speech

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and dear students.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all here today. To our new students embarking on this exciting journey of learning and discovery, welcome to the start of what I hope will be a transformative and inspiring chapter in your lives. To our returning students, who continue to build on their knowledge and skills, welcome back—your dedication and passion are what make this community thrive.

A warm welcome as well to the members of our administration and our devoted teachers. Finally, I extend a special welcome to the representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education. Your support and leadership are vital in shaping the future of our educational landscape, and we are honoured to have you with us today. Together, we form a community dedicated to learning, creativity, and pursuing excellence. I am thrilled to be here with all of you as we embark on another year of growth, exploration, and achievement.

When I first began my journey into music education, I had a different vision of where I would end up. Like many of you, I had a dream school in mind, a place I thought would be the perfect fit for my ambitions and passions. However, life has a way of surprising us, and sometimes, the paths we don’t initially choose turn out to be the ones that lead us to where we truly belong. To be completely honest, NMH was not my dream school at first. I set my sights on other institutions, places I believed would offer me precisely what I sought. But as circumstances changed, I found myself considering NMH, a school I hadn’t even visited, a country i hadn’t put a foot on.

And then I arrived here. From the very beginning, I was met with a sense of community and a deep, abiding love for music that permeates every corner of this institution. The faculty's passion, the students' camaraderie, and the rich history of NMH quickly shifted my perspective. I realised that this was not just a place to study music but a place to live it.

What struck me most was the commitment to nurturing each student's unique voice. At NMH, I found an environment that encourages experimentation, supports creativity, and celebrates individuality. It's a place where you are not just a student but a contributor to a vibrant, artistic community. The faculty here don't just teach; they inspire. They push us to explore beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones, to grow not just as musicians but as thinkers and creators.

A melting pot

The diversity of talent and perspectives among my fellow students has also been an eye-opener. I've seen that NMH offers something truly special: a melting pot of musical styles, ideas, and cultures that enriches our collective experience. Here, I've discovered new possibilities in music that I hadn't even considered before.

NMH may not have been the school I originally dreamed of, but now I can't imagine being elsewhere. It has become a place where my dreams have evolved, expanded, and taken on new forms. This school has taught me that sometimes, the unexpected path is the one that leads to the most profound growth and fulfilment. To anyone who might feel uncertain about their journey, I want to say this: Keep an open mind. The place where you end up might not be what you initially envisioned, but it could be precisely where you need to be.

NMH is now my dream school, not because it was always my first choice, but because it has become where I can fully realise my potential. Thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community. I am proud to call NMH my home, and I look forward to all the music we will create together. Especially, I'm proud of saying that Norway is my home.

Norway has long been known for its deep connection to culture, a bond that stretches back through centuries of history, tradition, and innovation. This cultural heritage is not just a collection of artefacts or memories; it is a living, breathing force that shapes who we are as a people. It is expressed in our art, literature, theatre, and in our music.

Cultural education is not merely an addition to the traditional academic curriculum but an essential component. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Through the arts, we learn to express ourselves, to understand others, and to appreciate the diversity of the human experience. This is particularly evident in the role of music schools, which serve as both educational institutions and cultural custodians.

Our music schools are more than just places where students learn to play instruments or sing. They are hubs of creativity, where young minds are nurtured, and talent is discovered and honed. They provide a space where students can explore the depths of their creativity, experiment with sound, rhythm, and melody, and learn the value of discipline, collaboration, and perseverance.

But beyond the skills and knowledge they impart, music schools contribute to something even more profound: developing well-rounded, empathetic, and culturally aware citizens. In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet often divided, the ability to understand and appreciate different cultures and perspectives is more important than ever. Music, as a universal language, has the power to bridge divides, to bring people together, and to foster a sense of community and shared purpose.

In Norway, we are fortunate to have a strong tradition of supporting cultural education.

However, we must not take this for granted. In recent years, we have faced budget cuts that have inevitably impacted our music schools and other cultural institutions. These financial constraints have led to difficult decisions, with some programmes being scaled back, resources becoming stretched, and access to quality cultural education being threatened for many students.

These cuts have hit particularly close to home for me as a student of conducting. I have witnessed firsthand how harshly they have impacted my own department. Our teachers, who have dedicated their careers to nurturing the next generation of musicians, have battled tirelessly for years to make the programme the best it could be. They have poured their passion, expertise, and time into creating an environment where students can thrive, where talent is cultivated, and where the art of conducting is passed down to future generations.

Yet, with these budget cuts, much of their hard work is being undone. The resources they fought so hard to secure are being stripped away, and the progress they have made is in danger of being reversed. This is not just a loss for the students who are directly affected; it is a loss for the cultural fabric of our nation.

The impact of these cuts goes beyond the immediate challenges of fewer classes or reduced access to instruments. It affects the morale of educators who have devoted themselves to their craft only to see their efforts undermined by financial constraints.

It limits the opportunities for students, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, to engage deeply with the arts and discover their full potential. It threatens to create a cultural void where the traditions and innovations that have defined our artistic heritage are no longer passed down.

We must recognise that the true cost of these budget cuts is not merely financial—but the potential lost in every student who is denied the opportunity to explore their creative abilities. It is the weakening of our communities, where the arts serve as a vital thread that weaves us together. And it is the erosion of a critical component of our national identity, one that has made Norway a beacon of creativity and cultural richness.

Therefore, it is imperative that we reassess our priorities and reinvigorate our support for cultural education. We must ensure that programmes like those in conducting, along with all other arts disciplines, receive the resources they need to thrive. We must commit to restoring and even increasing our support for these essential programmes, recognising that in nurturing the arts, we are nurturing the very soul of our society.

Let us remember that cultural education is not a luxury but a necessity. It is an investment in the hearts and minds of our young people, in the preservation of our cultural heritage, and in the continued vitality of our nation. As we move forward, let us work together to ensure that the work of our educators, the passion of our students, and the richness of our cultural traditions are not just preserved but celebrated and expanded.

As I stand before you today, sharing my own experiences and the challenges faced by my department, I want to emphasise the power of our voices—especially those of you who are students, both new and old.

As I have spoken up today, I urge you all to do the same. Your voice matters, and your experiences are invaluable in shaping the future of our cultural education system. It is easy to feel powerless in the face of budget cuts and institutional and educational challenges, but remember that change often begins with individuals willing to speak out.

Your passion, your creativity, and your commitment to the arts are what drive these programmes forward. If you feel that your education is being compromised, if you see your teachers' hard work being diminished, or if you believe that the value of cultural education is being overlooked, do not remain silent. Speak up, whether it is in student meetings, through letters to the administration, or by engaging with your peers to raise awareness. Advocate for the importance of the arts, for the continuation of programmes that inspire and empower you, and for the recognition that cultural education is as vital as any other academic pursuit.

Share your stories, your concerns, and your ideas for how we can preserve and enhance our cultural education system. Let them know how these programmes have impacted your life and why they must be protected and supported for future generations. Remember, this is your education, your future, and your culture. You have the right to be heard, and you have the responsibility to ensure that the arts continue to flourish.

Together, we can make a difference. We can ensure that the legacy of our cultural education is not just preserved but strengthened and expanded for those who come after us.

So, to all the students here today, I say this: Be brave, vocal, and relentless in your advocacy for the arts.

We are stronger together, and through our collective efforts, we will ensure that the arts remain a vibrant and integral part of our society.

Your education is about learning skills, gaining knowledge, and preparing for the future. But it is also about so much more. It is about the journey you take, the mistakes you make, and the growth that comes from them. It is about the friendships you form, the laughter you share, and the memories you create along the way.

Being a student is more than perfecting your craft or excelling academically. It is also about exploring who you are, discovering your passions, and embracing the joy of learning in all its forms. It is about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and sometimes failing—because you find resilience, creativity, and the courage to try again in those failures.

As you navigate your time in school, remember to cherish the moments of fun and connection. These times will shape you just as much as your studies. The late-night conversations, the shared experiences in rehearsals or study groups, and the camaraderie you build with your peers—these are the foundations of a rich and fulfilling life.

So, as you advocate for the preservation and enhancement of cultural education, also take the time to enjoy this unique period in your life. Allow yourself to make mistakes, to learn from them, and to grow. Treasure the friendships you build, for they will be a source of support and inspiration long after your time in school has ended. Most importantly, I will never lose sight of the joy of learning and creating.

Education is not just a means to an end; it is a lifelong journey, filled with discovery, growth, and happiness. Embrace it fully, and let the arts, your studies, and your experiences guide you toward a future where you are not only skilled and knowledgeable but also compassionate, well-rounded, and fulfilled.

Thank you, and may your time as students be both enriching and memorable.