New Director of Music
The Governors and Head Master of Wells Cathedral School are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Alex Laing as the new Director of Music.
The role attracted a very large field of applications, and Alex was part of an extremely strong short list of candidates who were considered for the post. Alex impressed throughout a rigorous process which was overseen by external consultants Jeff Sharkey (Principal of the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and formerly Director of Music at the Purcell School) and Howard Ionascu (Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College, and formerly Director of Music at King’s Canterbury and Principal of the Junior Royal Academy of Music).
Alex is currently Artistic Director (Music) at King’s High School, Warwick and Warwick Preparatory School. He is also well known as a conductor and coach for national level ensembles including the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, and for the Benedetti Foundation. Alex was previously Head of Strings at Uppingham School, and has been a violin teacher, coach and conductor at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music. He studied Music at Cambridge University (where he held a prestigious instrumental award as well as being a choral scholar) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Wells Cathedral School Head Master Alastair Tighe says:
“It was heartening for us as a School to see this wonderful opportunity attract such a high calibre field. Alex shone at every level, not just because of his extensive experience and reputation, but also because of the creative, fresh and dynamic outlook he presented.
Alex’s vision for our world-class specialist music provision alongside our chorister and ‘music for all’ opportunities was engaging and compelling, and he demonstrated a real passion for, and understanding of, all that we are uniquely placed to offer here at Wells.
I very much look forward to working with him as he builds on the work of his predecessors, most recently Mark Stringer, and alongside our team of outstanding music experts in all fields. This is an exciting appointment for the whole School.”
Alex Laing says:
“I am delighted and privileged to be joining this wonderful and unique school where music is at the centre of life. The buzz at Wells Cathedral School is palpable and I look forward to supporting, sharing and celebrating music with everyone there from the youngest pupil to the most senior instrumentalist and the world class Cathedral Choristers. It is a dream job.”
Alex will join the School in 2022 at a date to be confirmed.
The role attracted a very large field of applications, and Alex was part of an extremely strong short list of candidates who were considered for the post. Alex impressed throughout a rigorous process which was overseen by external consultants Jeff Sharkey (Principal of the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and formerly Director of Music at the Purcell School) and Howard Ionascu (Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College, and formerly Director of Music at King’s Canterbury and Principal of the Junior Royal Academy of Music).
Alex is currently Artistic Director (Music) at King’s High School, Warwick and Warwick Preparatory School. He is also well known as a conductor and coach for national level ensembles including the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, and for the Benedetti Foundation. Alex was previously Head of Strings at Uppingham School, and has been a violin teacher, coach and conductor at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music. He studied Music at Cambridge University (where he held a prestigious instrumental award as well as being a choral scholar) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Wells Cathedral School Head Master Alastair Tighe says:
“It was heartening for us as a School to see this wonderful opportunity attract such a high calibre field. Alex shone at every level, not just because of his extensive experience and reputation, but also because of the creative, fresh and dynamic outlook he presented.
Alex’s vision for our world-class specialist music provision alongside our chorister and ‘music for all’ opportunities was engaging and compelling, and he demonstrated a real passion for, and understanding of, all that we are uniquely placed to offer here at Wells.
I very much look forward to working with him as he builds on the work of his predecessors, most recently Mark Stringer, and alongside our team of outstanding music experts in all fields. This is an exciting appointment for the whole School.”
Alex Laing says:
“I am delighted and privileged to be joining this wonderful and unique school where music is at the centre of life. The buzz at Wells Cathedral School is palpable and I look forward to supporting, sharing and celebrating music with everyone there from the youngest pupil to the most senior instrumentalist and the world class Cathedral Choristers. It is a dream job.”
Alex will join the School in 2022 at a date to be confirmed.
