Bass Boost at Bristol Beacon
Lily S, Clover B (Year 11) and Izzy C-N (Lower Sixth) joined tutors at Bristol Beacon for their ‘Bass Boost’ event, demonstrating bassoon, tuba, double... Read More
BRASS
Overview
We offer musical training at the highest international level combined with a flexible programme of study tailored to individual needs. All this takes place in a happy, vibrant, stimulating and balanced environment.
Our Brass Department has received international and national recognition for providing high quality instrumental and ensemble tuition. For over 30 years this musically vibrant and highly regarded department has forged a close association with the current music industry and prides itself on its ability to enable its pupils to be successful young musicians in the twenty first century.
Ross Brown heads a distinguished faculty, and the department has close links with many leading conservatoires and universities in this country and abroad. Specialist schemes of study are available on trumpet (including piccolo trumpet, Eb/D trumpet, flugelhorn, natural trumpet), horn (including natural horn), tenor trombone (including alto trombone), bass trombone, cornet, euphonium and tuba.
What We Offer
- Two hours a week individual tuition on the principal study and up to an hour on supporting instrumental studies from a dedicated and experienced team of high-profile teachers and musicians.
- Daily timetabled practice periods within the school day, before and after school practice sessions with support from our team of graduate music assistants.
- Extensive brass chamber music opportunities including trios, quartets, quintets, dectets, as well as membership of the internationally acclaimed symphonic brass ensemble; Cathedral Brass, plus collaboration with wind, strings and percussion students
- The opportunity to work with guest conductors in Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Ensemble and New Music Ensemble
- Regular masterclasses with performers and teachers of international repute
- We are the only school in the world where trumpet players receive regular weekly lessons and performance opportunities on the natural trumpet. The school has seven natural trumpets for loaning out to students. Horn players can also learn the natural horn and the school has four natural horns for students to use.
- Solo, chamber and orchestral performances throughout the UK and abroad, with recent tours to Hong Kong, Malaysia, San Francisco USA and Germany.
- Practical help and advice on preparation for auditions, competitions, music college entrance, CUKAS, university entrance (UCAS), Oxbridge and career advice for post Wells study. Strong personal links with music colleges and universities both in the UK and abroad.
- Weekly opportunities to rehearse and perform with the jazz department through the senior school Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Ensemble (Years 7-9) and in smaller jazz combos.
- All trumpet and trombone players have the opportunity for regular individual jazz improvisation lessons from a leading jazz expert in addition to their weekly instrumental studies.
- Workshops and performance classes offering practical advice on all aspects of performance following a wide curriculum including repertoire, technique, practice strategies, style and interpretation, stage presentation and sight-reading.
- A healthy, happy and enjoyable working environment that is about people and music.
Ensembles and Performance Opportunities
Bach trumpet ensemble: For Year 10 pupils
Brass quintets: Senior School pupils
Cathedral brass: Senior School pupils – symphonic size
Dalverne natural trumpets
Fantini natural trumpets
Senior horn ensemble
Years 7-9 horn ensemble
Prep School brass ensemble
Prep School trumpet ensemble
Natural horn ensemble
Reiche natural trumpets
Senior brass ensemble
Senior School trumpet ensemble
Shore natural trumpets
Symphonic brass: Years 7-9 pupils – symphonic size
Tower trumpet ensemble
Trombone ensemble
Trumpet Performance Class: Senior School pupils
Trumpet Performance Class: Prep School – Year 9 pupils
Year 9 brass ensemble
10 piece brass
Meet our Staff
Co-ordinator of Brass Studies
Staff Structure
Ross Brown – Co-ordinator of Brass Studies
Trombone
Emily White
Tom Lees
Tuba/Euphonium
Andy Cresci
Jazz Trumpet
Nick Malcolm
Trumpet
Ross Brown
Simon Jones
Horn
Simon de Souza
About some of our specialist staff
Masterclasses and Visiting Artists
Our brass department attracts a wide-range of international artists who perform or give masterclasses. See who has visited us recently…
Latest News
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The Jazz Disciples to perform at Glastonbury Festival
We are thrilled to announce that our Senior Jazz Combo; Charlie B, Alex S, Charlie D (Upper Sixth) and Barnaby D (Lower Sixth), AKA The... Read More -
Brass Department receive new tuba
Mr Brown, Head of Brass, and Lily S (Year 11) were delighted to receive a new Besson Brass tuba on Thursday 5th June. We are... Read More -
Musicians enjoy inspiring day with the Band of the Scots Guards
A group of musicians enjoyed a trip to the Band of the Scots Guards at the Wellington Barracks, where they watched the Changing the Guards... Read More
After Wells
Since 1986 the brass department has achieved a 100% success rate for entry into music conservatoires. Each year approximately 75% of brass pupils are successful in being awarded major scholarships. Brass pupils have been awarded places at all the major UK music conservatoires (including The Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music, Trinity Laban College, The Royal Welsh College of Music, The Royal Northern College of Music), top universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) as well as prestigious music conservatoires abroad (including Amsterdam, San Francisco and Bern).
Summer School
International Wind, Brass and Percussion Summer School
Sunday 27th July to Saturday 2nd August 2025
Join us for an inspiring and fun week!
Our world-class tutors will nurture young musicians (aged 10-18) to develop their skills and confidence by exploring a range of exciting musical styles. This course isn’t suitable for complete beginners – you will need a basic ability to play your instrument and read music.
