Woodwind News

19 Nov 2025

Musicians perform at House of Lord’s to celebrate the Music and Dance Scheme

Talented musicians from Wells Cathedral School were honoured to take part in a special event sponsored by Baroness Keeley at the House of Lord’s celebrating...

07 Nov 2025

Aaron shines with Mendelssohn performance at World Harmonica Festival

Congratulations to Aaron S (Year 11), who has achieved outstanding success at the World Harmonica Festival, held in Trossingen, Germany. The World Harmonica Festival is...

17 Oct 2025

Symphony Orchestra concert

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra was a stunning audio visual treat. Britten’s iconic score, which introduces the audience to each instrument, was reimagined involving...

26 Sep 2025

Lunchtime Concerts commence

This year’s Lunchtime Concerts have begun! Kicked off by Upper Sixth pupils Sabina D-G on violin, Emily B on flute, Jonas C on viola and Jasper...

19 Sep 2025

Graduate Music Assistant Lunchtime Concert

This week we enjoyed a Lunchtime Concert from our new Graduate Music Assistants (GMAs). A very warm welcome to Mr Parkes (trombone), Miss Lenard (recorder), Mr Kail-Dyke...

12 Sep 2025

Belinda and Ted attend Two Moors masterclass

Belinda G-G (Voice, Year 10) and Ted L (Recorder, Year 8) were invited to take part in a masterclass for the winners of the Two...

04 Jul 2025

Emma and friends deliver charity evening

Emma S (Lower Sixth) presented a compelling case for support of her chosen charity Musikidz and the important work they do in Cape Town. With...

04 Jul 2025

Mahler 5 Symphony Orchestra Concert

One of the crown jewels of the end of year celebrations was our Symphony Orchestra concert held in the Cathedral on Thursday night. The orchestra...

03 Jul 2025

Wells at Glastonbury Festival

Founded and run by OWs Michael and Emily Eavis, we are delighted to celebrate our School’s involvement in this year’s Glastonbury Festival.The Jazz Disciples (members...

27 Jun 2025

Visit from Woodwind doubler Sally MacTaggart

We were joined by Woodwind multi-instrumentalist Sally MacTaggart who led an insightful class introducing pupils to the challenges of performing on several instruments in one...

23 Jun 2025

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...

OW Rising Stars Old Wellensian Alumni Alumna WCS Wells Cathedral School Independent Prep Somerset England

27 May 2025

Old Wellensian Rising Stars

It was a treat to welcome back Fergus McCready (2018, oboe) and Bridget Yee (2022, piano) to perform in our OW Rising Stars concert. Fergus,...

Concerto Competition WCS Wells Cathedral School Independent Prep Somerset England

27 May 2025

Concerto Competition final

The Evening of Concertos was a simply stunning evening of the highest quality. Melvin W (piano, Year 11), Morgan B (trombone), Jasper Y (clarinet), Anton...

22 May 2025

Flute Skills Day and Ian Clarke masterclasses

On Sunday 11th May we welcomed nearly 60 flautists aged 8-73 into Cedars Hall for our Flute Skills Day. Participants were treated to ensemble classes,...

05 May 2025

Big wins at Two Moors Competition and Swindon Festival for Ted and Belinda

We are thrilled to announce that Ted L (Year 7) and Belinda G-G (Year 9) were both crowned winners at the Two Moors Competition held...

24 Mar 2025

Woodwind trip to the Royal Academy of Music

Specialist Woodwind pupils spent two days in London last week rehearsing for a lunchtime concert at The Royal Academy of Music (RAM). The ‘side by...

24 Mar 2025

Sarah Field Saxophone Masterclass

Saxophone pupils were treated to a masterclass with classical and contemporary saxophonist Sarah Field. Sarah is well known for her multi-genre approach. A classically trained...

10 Mar 2025

OWs listed in Classic FM’s Rising Stars

Classic FM are celebrating 30 musicians under 30 who they consider to be 2025’s Rising Stars. Among the list are OWs Fergus McCready (2018) and Adam Hickox...

10 Mar 2025

Recorder Day

We welcomed recorder players from across the UK to our recorder skills day. Participants took part in workshops, masterclasses and ensembles led by our Wells...

10 Mar 2025

Clarinet and Saxophone Extravaganza

We welcomed nearly 70 clarinet and saxophone players to Cedars Hall for our Clarinet and Saxophone Extravaganza. Participants were treated to a day of masterclasses,...

10 Mar 2025

Bristol Beacon chamber music performances

On Thursday 27th February, pupils from Wells performed in the first of a new series of collaborations with Bristol Beacon, taking place this year. These...

03 Mar 2025

Jasper wins RCS Clarinet Competition

Lower Sixth clarinet specialist Jasper Y has won the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) Clarinet Competition, part of their Clarinet Festival. Jasper was selected from...

10 Feb 2025

OW Cian wins GRAMMY

Huge congratulations to OW Cian Ducrot (2017) who has been awarded his first GRAMMY! Cian was a specialist flautist and songwriter at Wells and has...

10 Feb 2025

Promenade Concerts

Promenade season is always extremely special. The chairs in the body of the Cathedral are removed, the lighting is specifically arranged and the atmosphere is...

13 Jan 2025

Recorder teacher Ms Knight features on Wicked movie soundtrack

Ms Knight (left) was very excited to be involved in the making of the soundtrack for the film version of Wicked! Travelling to Air Studios in...

19 Dec 2024

Lily’s rehearsal with James B. Wilson

Award winning composer James B. Wilson visited Wells on Wednesday 12th December to rehearse a new work that has been generously commissioned by the Cherubim...

19 Nov 2024

Josie’s NYO Saxophone Ensemble invitation

Josie H (Lower Sixth) has been invited to join the NYO Saxophone Ensemble, which will be held within the NYO Spring Residency on 11 –...

18 Nov 2024

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),...

18 Nov 2024

Oboe and Bassoon Day

Sunday 13th October was our second Oboe and Bassoon Extravaganza featuring nearly 70 young double reed players who finished the day by performing the brilliant...

18 Oct 2024

Susannah performs at the House of Lords

Susannah H (Year 11) was one (and the youngest) of three advanced instrumentalists supported by Future Talent who were each chosen to play a solo...

18 Oct 2024

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...

17 Oct 2024

William and Joy Sparks concert

The first in our recital series named after William and Joy Sparks, who were highly valued members of the Friends of Music, was last week....

17 Oct 2024

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...

17 Oct 2024

Flute masterclass with Katherine Baker

Our wonderful team of specialist flautists were treated to a masterclass on Thursday 26th September with the amazing Katherine Baker who is part of the...

30 Sep 2024

First Lunchtime Concert of the year

Our pupil Lunchtime Concerts have resumed for the new academic year thanks to Megan B (Bassoon), Teagan C (Violin) and Charlie B (Trumpet). These take...

BBC Young Musician WCS Wells Cathedral School Independent Prep Somerset England

27 Sep 2024

BBC Young Musician live auditions 2024

The BBC Young Musician live audition highlights have been broadcast on BBC Four and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Take a look...

27 Sep 2024

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....

21 Sep 2024

Eli is WMSO Concerto Competition finalist

Specialist bassoonist Eli M (Upper Sixth) has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra (WMSO) Concerto Competition 2024. This...

19 Jul 2024

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...

15 Jul 2024

Annie is Liverpool International Flute Competition finalist

Upper Sixth Flute Specialist Annie has been selected as one of only four finalists in the Liverpool International Flute Competition run by Liverpool Flute Academy....

18 Jun 2024

Year 7-9 Choir and Soloists perform at St Cuthbert’s

Thursday 23rd May saw the upper voices of the Year 7-9 Choir visit St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, for a beautiful concert of music by Bob...

20 May 2024

Sound of Wells Festival

It has been brilliant for School musicians to be so strongly involved with the Cathedral-led Sound of Wells Festival. In a week featuring over a...

20 May 2024

An Evening of Concertos

Thursday 9th May saw our annual ‘Evening of Concertos’, a concert celebrating some of the very best solo performances that Wells has to offer. Five...

10 May 2024

Woodwind and Brass trip to Berlin

Our Woodwind and Brass Quintets have just returned from a highly successful trip to Berlin where they collaborated with pupils from the Musikgynasium CPE Bach,...

08 Apr 2024

Symphony Orchestra concert

The pairing of Mozart’s Requiem with highlights from Tchaikovsky’s ballet scores allowed Wells to demonstrate what makes it so special: Music on a grand scale,...

11 Mar 2024

Clarinet and Saxophone Day

On Sunday 3rd March the Woodwind Department hosted over 30 young clarinet and saxophone players for a day of workshops, masterclasses and ensemble playing. Wells tutors Richard...

28 Feb 2024

Jazz & Strings tour to New York City

The Jazz and String Departments took part in an action-packed and inspirational tour to New York City which included masterclasses, workshops and concerts across Manhattan...

26 Feb 2024

Jess Gillam visit

Before half Term, pupils were treated to a two day residency with superstar saxophonist and BBC presenter Jess Gillam. Jess worked with pupils in an...

26 Feb 2024

Annie is highly commended in BFS Young Performer Competition

Annie (Upper Sixth) entered the British Flute Society (BFS) Young Performer Competition on Saturday 17th February, and after performing alongside more than 30 of Britain’s...

26 Feb 2024

Lunchtime Concerts resume

It was wonderful to get our Lent Term Lunchtime Concerts underway in Quilter Hall. These are an important opportunity for our specialist musicians to perform...

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