MA for unusual musician (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

MA for unusual musician

8:55am Tuesday 16th May 2006

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A MAN who fitted his Open University studies around playing odd instruments in a circus has gained an MA in music.

Paul Tkachenko told the Guardian this week: "I was literally sending essays from the back of a circus wagon.

"I used my mobile as a modem and just whizzed the work to be assessed. To manage my time, I would have OU work on my music stand and read it during performances. It was lots of fun."

The UK-born 28-year-old grew up in Australia, Hong Kong and Germany.

It wasin Germany that he joined the Circus Roncalli, the country's most famous, after leaving school.

He began as a singer and moved on to instruments as diverse as the tuba, the bagpipes, bandura, didgeridoo and even the saw.

But his most extraordinary performances are on what he calls the dogphonium, a euphonium with a dog head and a wagging tail that squirts the audience with water.

He rose to the rank of musical director with the circus and met his wife Tanya, a dancer, there.

The couple now live in Walthamstow while Mr Tkachenko teaches at Sir George Monoux College in Chingford Road, plays with the London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra and with Toia Nova, a group which features Turkish and Greek instruments.

He is also studying German with an eye on a modern languages degree.

His interest in the Open University comes from his parents who have both studied with it, In fact Mr Tkachenko Snr was an OU tutor.

It was he who persuaded his son that he could pursue his musical career and a degree at the same time, instead of going to a more traditional university.

Mr Tkachenko said: "Because of my parents' experiences, I knew exactly what to expect and duly received first rate teaching and support.

"I finished my OU degree at the same time as my brother and sister who both studied in bricks and mortar' universities.

"They finished with the usual student debts while I bought a house.

"Some people have said that I missed out on the university experience but I ran away to join the circus. Beat that for experience."

l The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra will be playing on June 16 at the Plough Inn, Wood Street, Walthamstow. Admission is free. For more information, vicit www.lpso.co.uk.

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