French Horn Masterclass
On Monday, celebrated french horn player, Elspeth Dutch, gave an inspiring masterclass to Wells horn players in the Quilter Hall. Elspeth, who was taught by... 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 students 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 (lower school) and in smaller jazz combos.
- All trumpet and trombone students 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 students
Brass quintets: Lower and senior school students
Cathedral brass: Senior school students – symphonic size
Dalverne natural trumpets
Fantini natural trumpets
Senior horn ensemble
Lower school horn ensemble
Junior school brass ensemble
Junior school trumpet ensemble
Natural horn ensemble
Reiche natural trumpets
Senior brass ensemble
Senior school trumpet ensemble
Shore natural trumpets
Symphonic brass: Lower school students – symphonic size
Tower trumpet ensemble
Trombone ensemble
Trumpet Performance Class: Senior School Students
Trumpet Performance Class: Junior and Lower school students
Year 9 brass ensemble
10 piece brass
Meet our Staff
Co-ordinator of Brass Studies
Staff Structure
Ross Brown – Co-ordinator of Brass Studies
Euphonium/Trombone
Andy Fawbert
Trombone
Andy Harwood-White
Emily White
Tuba
Andy Cresci
Jazz Trumpet
Nick Malcolm
Trumpet
Hannah Opstad
Ross Brown
Paul Denegri
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...
I have such admiration for the work with trumpet students at Wells. The record of producing great brass players speaks for itself and the caring approach you take to all your students is wonderful.
Working with such a motivated and talented group of brass pupils and a highly skilled and dedicated team of brass staff is extremely fulfilling. I always receive a warm welcome in such a beautiful place.
Thank you for making me so welcome at Wells last week, I had a thoroughly enjoyable day!
The brass staff are doing wonderful things. I was impressed by the general standard but by the younger players in particular. It is my guess that Wells have started many of these players off…, (Principal Trumpet BBC National Orchestra of Wales)
Latest News
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¡Viva! Brass
Wells brass and percussion musicians joined forces with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Brass Ensemble for an evening of exhilarating music for... Read More -
Side by Side Brass Afternoon
On Wednesday afternoon, Wells specialist brass musicians were joined for an afternoon of vibrant brass ensemble playing by talented brass instrumentalists from the Royal Welsh... Read More -
Amos Miller Leads Courtois Trombone Event
On Thursday Wells trombonists took part in a trombone day run by Amos Miller, Head of Brass at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, a founding member... 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 students are successful in being awarded major scholarships. Brass students have been awarded places at all the major UK music conservatoires as well as prestigious music conservatoires abroad, including Amsterdam, San Francisco and Bern. In 2015/16 brass students were awarded places at The Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music, Trinity Laban College, The Royal Welsh College of Music, The Royal Northern College of Music and top universities including Oxford and Cambridge.
Some of our Alumni
Summer School
International Wind, Brass and Percussion Summer School
26th July – 1st August 2020
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.
£945 Boarding £745 Day
For more information, please visit www.wellsmusicsummerschool.com
