Wells remembers
Our School community marked Armistice Day through Remembrance Services in the Cathedral and Cedars Hall, with performances of The Last Post by Milo B (Year 11), Gloria... Read More
PERCUSSION
Overview
Our staff train outstanding young players to the highest possible standards in preparation for music college and the demands of the music profession and beyond. Wells percussionists have reached the category finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
Our unique percussion department (the largest in the UK) is headed by Jayne Obradovic alongside her dedicated teaching team of high profile musicians. They are joined by percussion consultants who regularly visit the department, including Sam Walton (Co Principal London Symphony Orchestra), Toby Kearney (CBSO), Adrian Spillet (Head of Percussion RBC) and Calum Hugan (Trinity Laban).
We have a superb array of equipment: two 5-octave marimbas (including a Marimba One), 4 x 4 1/3 marimbas, two vibraphones, four xylophones, four drum kits, eight timpani, and a huge selection of orchestral, Latin and World Music instruments. By having six marimbas, our percussion students can perform college level ensemble repertoire.
We aim to offer the most versatile training, with future employability in the music industry being the main focus of our course.
What We Offer
- A vibrant and flexible curriculum so young musicians can divide their tuition easily between their main interests
- Outstanding tuition and performance opportunities, which provide young musicians with a variety of specialisms
- The opportunity to play in our main school orchestras and ensembles, which encompass all age groups from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form
- Numerous performances outside school; recent tours have included Europe, San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong
- Graduate music assistants who help pupils to work using constructive and imaginative methods
- Regular masterclasses from distinguished international artists; recently, our percussion students worked alongside Sam Walton, Colin Currie, Alexej Gerassimez, Adrian Spillet, Owen Gunnell, Jim Hart, Dave Smith, David Hockings, Louise Hunt, Matt Whittington and Daniella Ganeva and have collaborated with Trinity Laban, Birmingham Conservatoire, The Royal Marines and The Colin Currie Group.
- Opportunities to perform in our state of the art concert hall offer percussionists a busy schedule of orchestral, ensemble and solo performance.
- Instruction in all the essentials required by the professional drum kit player. In addition to Trinity Guildhall grade material, other quality teaching materials are used. Knowledge of notation, style and techniques are tackled at all ages with the long-term goal to produce well-rounded musicians who can successfully function in any musical situation. Drummers are integrated into our many ensembles that exist within the musical environment, the pinnacle being the Jazz Orchestra who perform and rehearse on a regular basis.
Ensemble and Performance Opportunities
One of the many benefits and joys of receiving a musical education at Wells is the opportunity to take part in weekly orchestral and ensemble rehearsals. Our percussion department offers:
World music group: African drumming, samba, etc, open to every age and stage
Cathedral Percussion: Percussionists in Years 7-9
PH7 drumline: For pupils currently having percussion lessons
Collegium: For specialists
Ferio: For specialists
Pre-Prep Percussion: Years 1 and 2
Prep School percussion ensemble: For Prep School pupils who have percussion lessons
Jazz combos: For kit players and jazz vibe pupils
Frigus: Year 8, 9 and 10 Ensemble
Wells Cathedral School Symphony Orchestra
Arthur Lipner’s well-known and much-loved ensemble piece, Lime Juice, is a firm favourite of the percussionists at Wells Cathedral School. Here performing the piece is the Wells Senior Ensemble, Ferio.
30 Wells percussionists from Year 5 to the Upper Sixth, along with five percussion staff have created a joyous and uplifting collaborative rendition of Pharrell Williams’ much loved song Happy. Please click here for more information about this performance.
Meet our Percussion Staff
Co-ordinator of Percussion Studies
Staff Structure
Jayne Obradovic, Co-ordinator of Percussion Studies
Drum Kit
Andy Tween
Jon Whitfield
Percussion
Matthew Hardy
Jayne Obradovic
Kizzy Brooks
About some of our specialist staff
Masterclasses and Visiting Artists
Vibraphone Masterclass
O Duo
Jazz Vibraphone professor at the Royal College of Music, London
Head of Percussion at the Royal College of Music, Principal Percussionist at the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Wells Consultant
Co-Principal of London Symphony Orchestra and Wells Consultant
Percussion Masterclass
Marimba Masterclass
Marimba Masterclass
Jazz Vibes Masterclass
Drum Kit Masterclass
Drum Kit Masterclass, Old Wellensian and Robert Plant Drummer
Latest News
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Animal Magic
Cedars Hall was filled with birds, beasts and Animal Magic in October, for our four performances to audiences young and old.Carnival of the Animals became... Read More -
NYO selections
We have received word of a number of our pupils being selected into the National Youth Orchestra. Huge congratulations to Year 10 pupils Cole C... Read More -
Wells Cathedral School unveils new app
We are thrilled to announce that a new Wells Cathedral School app is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play.... Read More -
Out of this World Symphony Orchestra Concert
What a way to end the musical year at Wells. Out of this World lived up to its billing: it was music making on another... Read More -
Isaac opens at Glastonbury Festival
Isaac (Year 9) performed as part of the opening ceremony at Glastonbury Festival (run by OWs Michael and Emily Eavis) on Wednesday 26th June, lead... Read More -
Wilamena speaks to composer Gavin Higgins on BBC Radio 3
On Sunday 26th May, Wilamena (Upper Sixth) spoke to composer Gavin Higgins on BBC Radio 3. Recorded while Wilamena was with the National Youth Orchestra... Read More -
Joint concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust
Pupils from the Brass and Percussion Departments performed in a joint concert with Wells City Band Academy to an enthusiastic audience in Cedars Hall on... Read More
After Wells
In recent years, our Upper Sixth percussionists were offered major scholarships to The Royal Academy of Music, The Royal College of Music, Guildhall School, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Birmingham Conservatoire.
Summer School
International Wind, Brass and Percussion Summer School
Sunday 287h 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.
