School memories

SCHOOL MEMORIES RICHARD JACQUES

The award-winning, BAFTA and Ivor Novello-nominated composer of film, television and video games reflects on his time at Wells Cathedral School

Your school in three words?

I’d say inspirational, creative and supportive.

Who was your best mate?

Kris Marshall, who made me feel right at home from day one, since I joined the school just for the sixth form. He’s now a highly successful actor.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I’d wanted to compose music for screen since I was about seven. There’s something magical about a musical score supporting a narrative and helping the audience to emotionally connect with the story and characters.

Harry enjoyed his fair share of detentions for trips to the bookmakers my joint favourite teachers: Jeffrey Sharkey who taught me A-level music, and is now Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Professor Sharkey was incredibly supportive of my composition endeavours; Alison Armstrong, who also taught me A-level music; and Jayne Obradovic, who taught me percussion, getting me from a complete beginner to Grade 8 in just two terms. What a teacher! And by no means last, Alan Hutt, who had taught me trombone from the age of 12, before I came to Wells. A wonderful teacher and a true gent, he got the best out of me.

Most embarrassing moment at school?

Getting caught fraternising with fellow female students!

Play any pranks?

Oh yes, plenty, on both fellow students and staff. But my lips are firmly sealed. You make a pact for life and never reveal details!

Favourite place to hang out?

Haversham House common room (the sixth form girls boarding house!), and the sixth form common room where we used to watch lots of films at the weekends. There was also a lovely café in the town centre called Da Luciano’s which was run by a charming Italian family. Their pizzas were to die for.

Teacher’s pet or always in the detention room?

Mostly a teacher’s pet I’d say, but I also fractured the occasional rule (the dining hall tea trays made great sledges!) I was heavily involved in the music programme and threw myself into every aspect of it, often spending my free time

Richard joined the school in sixth form

What advice would you offer your school-age self?

Go for it. Knuckle down, be open minded, learn, practise,

I WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC PROGRAMME and threw myself into every aspect of it, often SPENDING MY FREE TIME USING THE STUDIO EQUIPMENT TO CREATE ALBUMS ON CASSETTE

using the studio equipment to create albums on cassette that I would then sell to my friends.

Win any prizes?

I think our brass quintet won a couple of prizes, if my memory serves me correctly.

Your favourite teacher?

There are too many to mention them all, but I would have to single out four of have fun. And don’t let anything stand in your way.

How would your teachers describe you?

Well, I’d like to think that they would describe me as a hard worker, a talented musician, sometimes a little cheeky but not in a bad way, fun to be around, creative, and driven to succeed. But of course, they may disagree.