I read recently in the Independent of the plight of Dartington College and an so sorry that such a unique and wonderful institution is to close. I would like to assist the Save Dartington College campaign.

I arrived at Dartington (my father, also my A-level teacher had the great insight to encourage me to study there) in September 1982, a naive , conventionally trained violinist and left Dartington in 1985 with much more than a degree in music.

In my first few days as a newbie student at Dartington, I was struck by
how isolated it was: a cluster of buildings in a windswept wilderness
that nonetheless teemed with life. It was almost two weeks before I
ventured beyond the confines of Higher Close to peruse the wonders of
Totnes, and in my 18-year olds' naivety, the glowing street lights of
Totnes reassured me that the world outside continued to exist.

My first night at Dartington, in the autumn of 1981, was so special. We were all invited to a cider party and a dance in the Great Hall. The next day we were organised into choir and orchestra to work on Zadok The Priest which was performed two days later in the Great Hall. What an amazing thing to do - the sound of the choir and orchestra working as one in this fabulous venue was overwhelming.

Like many students, I never thought I would make the right choice about university; where to go, what to study, what I would get out of it. I therefore started a year at my home Art College in order to contemplate the many universal questions which didn’t seem resolvable. I stumbled across Dartington, visited, and was here within a term.

I attended the college from 1964 as a music student studying piano and
organ.

I chose to study music at Dartington because they offered a degree that was not all about classical music but about things that are happening now and music that is relevant.

When I came to England in 1988 (originally for just one placement year abroad, as part of my music studies in Germany), I had the choice of two institutions, Exeter University and Dartington College of Arts.

Dear People,
I interviewed for, and got, the artists residency set up by the
Elmhirsts, (a residency that has hosted legendary artists such as
John Cage, and Rabindranath Tagore).

What do I think about Dartington College of Arts?
I am a first year student studying Music at the college, and from the minute I came here for my interview I knew that Dartington was the place I wanted to be at.