Alumni inspiring the next generation
Since 1969, we’ve welcomed young musicians from across the UK and beyond to enjoy a world-class musical education – it’s heartening that thousands of former students choose to be part of the Chetham’s community forever. Our autumn term has been jam-packed with exciting musical activities and it’s great to have had so many alumni involved. From giving insightful masterclasses to joining the orchestra in performance, their return to Chetham’s has inspired a new generation of students preparing to take their next steps in the world…
Early in the term, Jason Evans (principal trumpet of the Philharmonia) delivered an inspirational masterclass for our brass department. His approach of song and sound was spellbinding for all who were lucky enough to be present.
Violinist Roman Lytwyniw, who is currently on tour in Fiddler on the Roof, came back to school to spend time with the Sixth Form string players. All the violinists played duets with Roman before the whole department came together to play through Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for strings and some of Britten’s Frank Bridge Variations. Some students and staff managed to see Roman in Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre and were blown away by his performance.
In our first music course of the year, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Benjamin Ellin, whose oratorio One Before Zero was given its UK premiere in our home concert venue Stoller Hall. A deeply moving work inspired by wartime misinformation and propaganda, it also featured two former Chetham’s vocal students, Daisy Mitchell and Marcus Farnsworth.
In early October we had a visit from Mike Lindup who was in Manchester performing with his band Level 42. Mike gave a fascinating class and talk to our Sixth Form Music Technology students where he explained how he composes for synthesiser and studio techniques, talked about life on the road as a touring musician, and sang at the piano to a room full of enthralled students.
Current violin tutor Gabriella Jones visited Chetham’s under a different hat with her early music group Liturina, who performed in Stoller Hall this November. In the afternoon, the group also workshopped some compositions written by current students .
And finally, we were thrilled to welcome the legendary Sir Stephen Hough who carried out a piano clinic for our keyboard department. 25 students were able to play short passages that they find particularly challenging and Sir Stephen offered advice and guidance on how to approach things differently. We are incredibly grateful to the support of Peter and Rayna Jackson who made this class possible.
We always enjoy hearing from former students of Chetham’s! Share your story with us at communications@chethams.com.
