Hello everyone. Another Fireside Chat with my scholarship holders. Today we have Maciej Skibiński. Hi, Maciej.
Let me give you a quick introduction, and you can tell me what I forgot, okay?
You've been a scholarship holder since 2025, so since the fourth edition of our program. A violist studying at the Hochschule für Musik Basel in Switzerland, winner of numerous music competitions, including winner of the Grand Prix at the Zbigniew Freiman Competition of Polish Music in Bytom. Since 2026, you've regularly worked with the Orchestra Academy of the Kammerorchester Basel. You've gained international experience, including during your studies at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague as part of the Erasmus program, and you actively take part in orchestral projects and perform in Poland and abroad.
What skills do you need, or what talent, and at what age do you need to start, to already be where you are today, at such a young age? When did you start?
I started - I started music school when I was five. Then, at age six, I had my first... first break, and started over again when I was seven.
The whole time on the same instrument, or a different one?
On the violin the whole time. So I started when I was seven - I think most people start around six or seven.
Did your parents push you into it?
Well, when I was little, a bit, yes.
I think in primary school they'd push me a bit to practice, because I'm from a family where basically everyone is a musician, and it turned out that there was some pressure. But looking back from where I am today, I'm extremely grateful. I mean, if that pressure hadn't been there - of course a healthy, very controlled kind - I don't think I'd be where I am today. And, well, that's how it is, I am, I am extremely grateful. You really need to start at that age, six or seven, at a point when the body is still developing - our hand has to grow up with the instrument.
So I wouldn't stand a chance?
I mean, it would be hard now. Well, it would be hard. Well, nothing's impossible, but, but, you'd definitely have to practice a lot. A whole lot. And there'd probably also be simpler instruments than the violin.
I also had pressure, and I couldn't handle it. In the end I decided music wasn't for me, even though my sister really wanted me to also play the grand piano and the piano. Basically that kind of instrument. But this isn't about me, it's about you. Tell me, what's it like, going up against ultra-talented students from all over the world, to stand out enough that, at a very young age - how old are you again?
Right, exactly. So that at that age you're already performing regularly, and abroad, too. To stand out.
To stand out. Above all, I'd say self-discipline, and a real drive.
How much do I practice? How much a day?
Well, it really depends, it really depends. Honestly. I try to do four hours a day.
Mhm. And that's on top of school.
And that's on top of school, I mean, on top of classes, on top of rehearsals. Of course, there are situations where those four hours are impossible to fit in. And there are situations where you have to do a lot more than four hours a day. So it really depends on the situation, and above all, everything depends on a kind of self-discipline, and a bit on motivation. You always need to keep the goal you're working toward in view, yeah.
I think it's a very big dream, but one I look at with a bit of distance - meaning it's still far ahead of me. It's more about pushing forward music and culture in Poland in general, and I'd like for my own part some kind of individual composition, some personal contribution to it, to have its own place. To the point where I could one day say that...
You know that's rare, right? Very rare, and people usually think about themselves, themselves, themselves. 'I want to win a Nobel,' 'I want to play a solo, I don't know, on the best stage in the world.' That's very hard.
But I also play an instrument that demands a bit of looking at things from a different perspective. I play the viola, which... it's an instrument that very often helps other instruments play better.
Of course, many violists do perform solo, but I think the instrument wasn't really created for being in the spotlight.
But have you always felt that way? Have you always been a team player?
I think, I think so. I think somehow I always felt better when on stage with friends, guys and girls alike, and I just somehow remember much more fondly the concerts I played with friends.
