Specialist Music Leaflet

Specialist

Inspiring

Specialist Music at Wells

We are proud to be the only school in the UK that offers a specialist music school set within a wider educational context. As such, our Specialist Musicians have access to the worldclass training, teaching and facilities they need to succeed as a professional musician, but they also benefit from a range of academic subjects and co-curricular activities. They make friends who aren’t musicians, which provides some balance and prevents

a ‘hot-house’ type effect. This extra dimension helps our pupils become more resilient and rounded as they encounter the challenges faced by professional musicians.This is all provided in a beautiful, stimulating, family-orientated, and safe environment. We hope that you will join us at one of our ‘Be a Specialist Musician For a Day’ events so you can see for yourself what makes Wells such a special place.

Our specialist music scheme, for pupils who wish to pursue a career in music, spans seven different disciplines: Brass, Composition, Keyboard, Percussion, Strings, Vocal and Choral, and Woodwind. In addition, pupils can choose to complement their core studies with our Jazz and Popular Music opportunities. One of the many benefits and joys of receiving a musical education at Wells is the opportunity to take part in our many weekly orchestral and ensemble rehearsals; we currently have over 80 ensembles of varying sizes and genres.

What We Offer

Specialist Musicians all receive a first-class, pre-professional training from teachers who are world-class musicians themselves, many of whom are active performers and teach at UK conservatoires. We work with Specialists and their parents to create a tailored programme to suit their circumstances, aspirations and overall wellbeing. It is a delicate balance, but we ensure the level of instrumental practice, rehearsals, performances, masterclasses, academic subjects and other activities is right for each individual - though Specialists are expected to be committed and dedicated.

Our Ethos

Our purpose is to enable young musicians to discover themselves and realise their aspirations. We aim for their experience at Wells to positively impact both their development and perspective of the world. Musicians at Wells are encouraged to be innovative, resourceful and versatile and to pursue excellence in all that they do. The pursuit of excellence is demanding, yet ultimately rewarding, and our musicians are supported all the way. We pride ourselves on excellent pastoral care, and pupils can be reassured that their wellbeing and future is important to us.

When the time comes to leave Wells, our musicians are equipped for the professional and personal challenges in life. Our Old Wellensians push boundaries and have become renowned for forging successful, exciting and fulfilling careers all over the world in their chosen field. Whatever it is that a musician wants to do, we are here to help by nurturing skills and interests and enabling them to become the very best he or she can be.

Performance and Facilities

We understand that learning how to perform comfortably, whether as a soloist or part of a small or large ensemble, is vital at every stage of a musician’s development. Therefore, all of our Specialist Musicians are given suitable performance opportunities to enable them to learn and experience the ultimate goal of sharing and communicating their passion for music.

We have more than 250 pupil performances each year. Our venues include our state-of-theart Cedars Hall, which offers

beautiful acoustics with its 300 seater auditorium, and Quilter Hall, which is perfect for solo lunchtime concerts and intimate chamber music. Our pupils also perform in the beautiful Wells Cathedral, which offers the scale required for many symphonic works. It also is important to expose our pupils to a variety of venues and wider audiences so our musicians have regular tours within the UK and overseas, including Europe, Asia and the USA. They also take part in festivals and competitions, both internationally and in the UK.

Curriculum

We explore the interface between music and other disciplines and embrace music of all styles and periods – from Gregorian chant through to contemporary repertoire and genres. We also offer musicians a broad and varied range of academic subjects.

The life of a Specialist is a busy one with time allowed for daily practice, weekly lessons, rehearsals, concerts and tours. Every pupil will have slightly different needs, depending on their age, instrument, ability and aspirations. So heads of department and tutors

play a crucial role in advising and supporting both parents and pupils when choices need to be made. GCSE and A Level Music are required for Specialists, and A Level Music Technology is encouraged. We aim to provide every pupil with the right balance of subjects for them, which leads to a very tailored approach.

This does not mean that a different career path is not possible if circumstances or desires change; we have had specialists decide to become doctors or lawyers (amongst other professions).

Practice

We ensure that pupils have enough access and time for quality practice as it is one of the key components to becoming an outstanding musician. Specialists can receive up to two hours of tuition on their first study instrument, and it is crucial that they support this with quality practice so they fulfil their potential. For certain instruments, senior pupils will need to practise for four or five hours every day.

All specialists have access to practice time before and after school, with rooms allocated in advance as required. Senior School pupils are also able to use the practice facilities during the evening as well as through the weekend.

Younger Senior School Specialists (Years 7-9 inclusive) have daily practice periods built into their academic timetable. Our team of graduate music assistants supervise them to ensure that good practice habits are instilled at a young age and that they make use of this valuable time.

Pupil Profiles

Luke Camilla

The past few years at Wells have been amazing. The teachers are brilliant and have made me better than I thought possible. The experiences keep getting better; I have been involved in Jazz Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Combo and more - helping me to become the best trumpet player I can be. Practice is timetabled so I can fit everything in. Wells continues to make me a better musician and has shaped me as a person. If you want to become a musician, Wells is the place to be!

The moment I arrived, I was welcomed by pupils and staff and soon found there are no limits to what one can do: attending concerts given by incredible external musicians, unlimited opportunities to play as a soloist and with ensembles, masterclasses and timetabled tailored lessons to name a few. All aspects of our lives are fulfilled; my academic and sporting achievements are taken as seriously as music, and I have time with my friends who have become part of my family.

Pupil Profiles

Harry Lily

The minute I set foot in Wells, I knew it was the right school for me. My friends are both musicians and non-musicians and I feel as though I have the best of both worlds. I like that practice periods are built into the timetable as it relieves pressure. I’ve had many solo performances and I am a member of a quartet, the Symphony Orchestra, Chapel Choir and the Conducting Club, having started composing once I came to Wells. I feel that I am getting the very best musical education!

I instantly adapted to all of the musical opportunities at Wells; my flute playing improved greatly, which helped my orchestral performances. I have really enjoyed playing in a range of concerts and competitions. My favourite concerts are the Woodwind Performance Platforms; I really enjoy being able to play a solo piece in a friendly environment where my family and friends can come and watch me perform. Wells is the best place for me to develop my musical and academic abilities!

Recent Projects

•

Mozart Opera Gala - Marriage of Figaro and Magic Flute

• Dawid Kasprzak, Menuhin competition selection

Let the Peoples Sing, televised finalists

Side by side with:

English Chamber Orchestra

Onyx Brass

Chapel Choir of Royal Holloway

• Royal College of Music, Brass and Percussion

• Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Brass

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Marimba Trio

• Masterclass and Concerts with:

Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Percussion

Dudok Quartet, Amsterdam

Albion Quartet

15 international piano prizewinners in the last 24 months (UK, USA, Norway, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and China)

• Two piano finalists BBC Young Musician 2021, Wells total now 12 pianists in the televised stage

• Piano Quartet trip to Royal Scottish Conservatoire

Recent Visiting Artists

Roger Argente

Mark Armstrong

Alex Ashworth

Jonathan Biss Christian Blackshaw

Katherine Bryan Leon Bosch

Ian Bousfield Isobel Buchanan Imogen Cooper Paul Cosh

Chris Cowie Phillipa Davies Peter Donohoe Barry Douglas Elspeth Dutch John Evans

Stefanie Gonley Benjamin Grosvenor

Owen Gunell Angela Hewitt Richard Hosford Stephen Hough David Hubbard Calum Huggan

Jack Liebeck Andrew Littlemore Rosa Mannion

Jonny Mansfield Mark Messenger Amos Miller Robert Plane Kevin Price Jason Rebello Hannah Roberts Martin Roscoe Anna Stegmann

Veronica Veysey Campbell Martin Roscoe Anna Stegmann Roger Vignoles Helen Vollam David Waterman Gillian Webster Shai Woosner

Notable Alumni

Kate Suthers

Section Leader CBSO (violin) and Artesian Quartet

Tim Orpen

Principal Clarinet Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra

Owain Park Composer

Joe Arnold

Principal Bass Trombone with the English National Opera

Notable Alumni

Meeta Raval operatic soprano star, finalist of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

Sam Okell Abbey Road senior engineer

Mei Yi Foo International concert pianist and recording artist

Dave Smith Percussion

Destinations of Leavers

Our Specialists have gone on to study at prestigious conservatoires around the world, often with a substantial scholarship. Recent destinations include:

• Royal Academy of Music

• Royal College of Music

Birmingham Conservatoire

Royal Northern College of Music & Drama

• Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

• Trinity Laban

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Boston (USA)

Manhattan School of Music (USA)

Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Vienna Conservatoire

Berklee College of Music (USA)

Mannes School of Music (USA)

The Juilliard School (USA)

Oxbridge (Music)

Universities (either to read music or other fields)

Join Us

If music is your passion and you are aspiring to work in the performing arts sector, are dedicated to your studies and are committed, we want to hear from you! We recommend that you attend one of our free ‘Be a Specialist Musician for a Day’ events wherever possible. You will shadow a pupil, attend a concert, rehearse with current pupils and meet key staff in your department who can give you advice about applying.

To join our specialist music programme, you will need to have a successful audition. We welcome audition applications from musicians in the UK and overseas aged 8-18. We have a finite number of scholarships through the Music and Dance Scheme and our own music scholarships on offer, but please note that your acceptance on our programme does not automatically guarantee bursary funding.

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