Vocal Programme at Wells Cathedral School

Vocal Programme for aspiring young singers

Unique vocal programme We offer young singers the support, opportunities and experiences that are essential for their musical talent to flourish. This programme is focused on the individual needs and aspirations of each young singer. Every pupil is offered sound technical instruction in an integrated curriculum that informs insightful and communicative performances and inspires curiosity and creativity. The course is provided within the stimulating environment of our world-leading specialist music school, which uniquely provides this level of musical excellence as well as a comprehensive range of academic subjects, co-curricular activities and access to amazing facilities.

2

http://wells.cathedral.school/vocal

Eligibility

This course is ideal for all singers aged 13 and above (from Year 9) who want to develop their vocal skills. This course will appeal to both former cathedral choristers and other singers who possess equivalent musical skills, dedication and determination.

We are delighted to be offering this holistic programme for singers of exceptional potential at this extremely important stage of their musical education but who have yet to develop the required vocal maturity for our ‘specialist’ course.

The programme seeks to build upon the existing strengths of each pupil, whilst aiding and inspiring development in a range of musical styles and genres.

01749 834441

3

Aims

This unique programme will: • support the unique vocal potential and aspirations of each pupil • inspire pupils through the unique, vibrant choral environment of the city of Wells, the school and the Cathedral, whilst also engaging them through masterclasses, lectures and joint performances with world-class practitioners • provide tuition in supportive musical skills: aural awareness, sight-reading, ensemble singing, movement and posture • collaborate with Wells Cathedral Choir under the direction of the Organist & Master of the Choristers

4

• offer regular performance opportunities in a variety of inspiring venues, including our state-of-the-art Cedars Hall, our medieval Quilter Hall and the stunning Wells Cathedral • inform and engage in issues of contextual study, incorporating stylistic awareness, vocal pedagogy, performance practice, critical listening and conducting • tailor each pupil’s experience to support and develop skills to be successful in his or her chosen vocal path, including choral, lied, oratorio, opera, recital, acapella, music theatre, jazz and commercial.

http://wells.cathedral.school/vocal

About the course Vocal pupils receive:

• expert tuition through individual lessons, weekly performance classes and regular assessments • instruction in the physiology of the voice and vocal production • vocal masterclasses - classical, commercial, jazz and musical theatre • choral programme - choralia, chorus, barbershop and acapella groups • guest lectures and seminars including contextual studies, stylistically and historically informed performance, composition for voices, conducting and historical developments in vocal music across all genres • solo performances • opportunities to audition for our school musicals, jazz orchestra and rock and pop groups.

01749 834441

5

Recent successes and events Choralia CD awarded Gramophone Editor’s choice Grand Prize winner at the Musica Eterna Roma Choir of the Year winners Grand-finalists in EBU - Let the Peoples Sing Joint rehearsal and performance with Tenebrae Workshop and performance with the Choir of Royal Holloway Joint Evensong with The Queen’s College, Oxford Concert tour of Hong Kong, with radio and TV broadcasts National tour with jazz trumpeter Arve Henriksen BBC ‘Radio 3 in Concert’ broadcast of Messiaen’s Trois petites liturgies Masterclasses given by Rosa Mannion, Isobel Buchanan and Roger Vignoles Productions of Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast Semi-staged performances of baroque opera

6

http://wells.cathedral.school/vocal

Notable alumni

William Wallace tenor, winner of the Handel Singing Competition 2016

Photo: Ash Mills

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

Emilia Morton soprano, The Sixteen

Iestyn Davies MBE acclaimed countertenor

01749 834441

7

Meet our staff Mark Stringer (Director of Music) was Master of the Music and Artistic Director of Concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields and Executive Director at Trinity College London.

Mark’s performances have been broadcast worldwide for BBC TV and Radio. He has worked globally as a performer, lecturer, examiner, teacher and adjudicator.

Christopher Finch (Coordinator of Vocal Studies) is an acclaimed conductor, accompanist and vocal coach. His performances, recordings and broadcasts have garnered wide critical acclaim. He has performed and collaborated with some of this country’s foremost performers, composers and ensembles.

Andrew Kidd has sung with most of the major consorts and ensembles, including: The King’s Consort, Polyphony, Le Concert d’Astrée and Philharmonia Voices. His solo operatic work included roles and covers at Lille Opera, Opera North and The Royal Opera House.

Andrew taught singing for 10 years at The London Oratory School.

8

http://wells.cathedral.school/vocal

Meet our staff Elizabeth Donovan represented Wales at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2003. A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, she completed her studies at the National Opera Studio in London.

She has performed principal roles with Scottish Opera, Opera North, Longborough Festival Opera, English Touring Opera and Diva Opera.

Philip Lawson was a member of The King’s Singers for 18 years, having previously worked in London as a freelance baritone. He was the group’s principal arranger, contributing over 50 arrangements to the repertoire, including 10 for the GRAMMY award-winning album Simple Gifts. He is sought after internationally for workshops.

Louise Innes has performed principal roles with Opera North, Scottish Opera, Garsington Opera, and at the Royal Opera House.

On the concert platform, she has worked alongside the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment‚ the Scottish Chamber Orchestra‚ the National Orchestra of Seville‚ and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

01749 834441

9

Leavers' destinations Our pupils have been awarded a large number of choral scholarships over the last five years to Oxford, Cambridge, Royal Holloway and King’s College London. Others have gone on to the Royal College of Music, 10

Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Trinity Laban and The Juilliard School in New York.

http://wells.cathedral.school/vocal

About Wells

Wells Cathedral School has been educating the choristers of Wells Cathedral since AD909 and singing is at the heart of our mission. Over recent decades, we have established a worldwide reputation for musical excellence, offering pre-professional training for highly-gifted and committed instrumentalists and singers. Most music pupils leave Wells to study at eminent conservatoires and universities in the UK and abroad.

We are one of the five specialist music schools that are part of the UK government’s Music and Dance Scheme. We would be delighted to hear from passionate singers who are keen to develop their musical skills here at Wells.

01749 834441

11

Find out more If you would like to find out more about Wells Cathedral School, please contact our admissions team on 01749 834441 / admissions@wells.cathedral.school or visit our website http://wells.cathedral.school