Shrewsbury hosts inspiring masterclasses with leading music professors

We had another busy week in the Maidment with the visit of two Royal Northern College of Music Professors. 

We had the pleasure of welcoming Kevin Gowland to the music department for a woodwind masterclass; Kevin is the head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. This was Kevin’s second visit to Shrewsbury School, and he was once again astounded by the playing from the students in our wind department.  

Six students had the opportunity to perform in a masterclass, during which Kevin worked on a variety of performance techniques including positioning in relation to the audience, tuning, breathing and general movement whilst playing. Kevin was once again an inspiration to our students, many of whom left the class in search of a practice room to put into practice what they had learnt. The performers were: 

Bob L (S, LVI) - bassoon 

Richard P (SH, V) - flute 

Benedict F (O, V) - oboe 

Ranen C (I, V) - clarinet 

Hazel C (MSH, IV) - clarinet 

James W (O, V) - saxophone 

For this year’s Vocal Masterclass, we welcomed international prize-winning bass and Henry Cummings Distinguished Professor of Singing at the Royal Academy of Music, Mark Wildman, to share his wisdom and musical insight with fortunate students.  

Frances C (QEH, IV), Eugene U (I, LVI), Amelie B (G, V), Zara B (MSH, LVI) and Oliver C (R, UVI) performed a variety of pieces by Mozart, Handel and Vaughan Williams, receiving expert guidance and tuition.  

Mr. Wildman emphasised the fundamental importance of singing as a form of direct communication, offering assistance in understanding the text and its connection to musical ideas, thoughts on phrasing and vowel modification to enhance comfort and ease in performance. The department and individual singers are extremely fortunate to benefit from such expertise and look forward to hosting Mr. Wildman again in the summer.  

Katy Landon – Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion  

Richard Robbins - Head of Choral Music