Wind, Brass and Percussion

Individual lessons and masterclasses • Chamber music • Orchestra • Wind repertoire sessions • Symphonic Wind Ensemble • Brass ensembles • Percussion ensembles • Jazz band

The Wind, Brass and Percussion department combines teaching from an outstanding team of professional players with an extensive and flexible range of performance opportunities, ensemble activity, cross-departmental collaborations and research.

The successes of students reflect their diversity and the ways in which the department seeks to support each individual's developing talents. Orchestral appointments of recent students include Philip Cobb (Principal Trumpet, London Symphony Orchestra, at the age of 21), Angela Barnes (2nd Horn, London Symphony Orchestra, and first ever female member of the horn section), Cormac Henry (Principal Flute, Royal Liverpool Orchestra), Tim Thorpe (1st Horn, BBC National Orchestra of Wales), and Chris Richards (Principal Clarinet, Northern Sinfonia). Many ex-students are pursuing particular interests through freelance careers; for example Joby Burgess, percussion, with Ensemble Bash and New Noise; and Matthew Smith, flute, has published compositions with United Music Publishers. Alongside input from the departmental staff, regular classes, workshops and masterclasses are given by visiting artists. Recent visitors include Francoix Leleux (oboe), Jiggs Whigham (trombone), Michael Cox (flute), Stefan Dohr (horn).

Elizabeth Chell

'My time at the Guildhall has prepared me well for my career by giving me opportunities to study with some of the leading musicians from England and abroad.'
Elizabeth Chell, BMus horn

Individual Lessons

Allocation of principal study professors is made through consultation between the students and the Head of Department at the beginning of each year. In years 1 and 2, the allocation is for 10 hours per term, and in years 3 and 4 the allocation is for 15 hours per term. It is usually expected that a student remains with one teacher (or set of teachers for percussion players) for years 1 & 2. As well as giving individual lessons, many principal study teachers work with their students as a class or instrumental ensemble. This varies from instrument to instrument and teacher to teacher. Topics covered include orchestral section playing, extended techniques, stage presentation, instrumental styles of playing, audition technique, performance practice and early instruments.

Doubling Instruments

Doubling instruments are not involved in compulsory assessments until year 3. However, you may be expected to play a doubling instrument within an ensemble project from year 1. You are encouraged where possible to own your own doubling instruments, but the school also owns a selection. In year 2 there is an extra allocation of 4 hours for the rest of the year for doubling instruments, over and above the regular allocation of 10 hours per term. If there is a particular need for some extra tuition before this, it may be possible in consultation with the Head and Deputy Head of Department.

Performance opportunities

Within the School these include solo recitals, chamber music concerts, symphony and chamber orchestra, New Music Ensemble, opera and drama productions, symphonic wind ensemble, brass band, percussion ensembles, and jazz bands. There are regular performances in the Barbican Hall, including Symphony Orchestra concerts, Ready Steady Blow! and the chamber series Guildhall Artists at the Barbican - senior Guildhall musicians performing before LSO concerts. All students are encouraged to take part in external performances and professional engagements, and many, for example, have been involved in the Southbank Sinfonia, European Union Youth Orchestra, and in performances for the City Livery Companies.

There are weekly performance platforms for Years 1 & 2 on Tuesday afternoons, accompanied by a professional pianist. Platforms are not formally assessed, but are used as a way of stimulating discussion between all the students, raising key issues to do with performance such as musical interpretation, sound quality, instrumental control and communication. A feedback report is made by the Head or Deputy Head of Department, and is given to you and to your instrumental professor(s).

Platforms for 3rd years are arranged on a more occasional basis, and give an opportunity to perform a 20 minute recital programme in the Music Hall with a professional accompanist. Similarly for 4th years, pre-recitals are arranged in preparation for the final recital. These platforms provide an opportunity to consider all aspects of recitals, including the quality of your duo playing, presentation, programming, stage management etc.

Directed Ensembles

A variety of directed ensemble projects run throughout the year, and orchestral auditions are held for all the students at the beginning of the academic year. Parts for all the directed ensemble projects in the year are allocated on a rotational basis, taking into account the results of the orchestral auditions, and according to your readiness to tackle the particular repertoire and performance circumstances.

In addition to these ensemble projects, regular directed ensembles include:
• Weekly orchestral wind repertoire classes in the Music Hall;
• A weekly woodwind ensemble which tends to focus on the earlier classical and early romantic repertoire.

Credit is given within the degree programme for directed ensembles, and all students are assessed each year through one project. For this, as well as taking part in the rehearsals and performance(s), you are required to submit a folio of research relevant to the project. This might relate, for example, to essential stylistic features of the repertoire, to ideas about programming repertoire and relating to different audiences, to historical, sociological, political or artistic contexts, or to issues of performance practice.

Chamber music

All students are initially allocated into a chamber music group, although groups are also encouraged to form themselves. There are regular chamber music workshops and coaching sessions within the department, and opportunities to collaborate in cross-departmental groups, particularly for students in the 3rd and 4th years. A chamber music festival is held annually in the Summer Term, and many chamber groups join the external engagements scheme which offers a wide range of professional engagements for small ensembles.

In year 2, the major assessment in the principal study area at the end of the year focuses on undirected ensembles. You will be assessed individually in terms of your playing within an ensemble of your choice.

All students are also required to submit a professional portfolio relating to their chamber music activity each year.

Contemporary Music

Students are encouraged to explore contemporary repertoire and approaches to making music throughout the programme, and there is strong collaboration with the composition and professional development departments. In year 4 there is a contemporary specialism in which all students study relevant repertoire specific to their instrument.

Choir

There is a choir for all 1st and 2nd years led by the Deputy Head of Vocal Studies, and this leads to several performances through the year.

Wind, Brass and Percussion arranging

From the 2nd year there are additional opportunities to cover key skills in wind, brass and percussion arranging.

African Drumming

A class in African Drumming is open to all students, covering key rhythm and ensemble skills.

Veda Lin

'The Guildhall's dynamic Wind department has been supportive and flexible in catering to students' needs, and it has definitely helped to mould me into the versatile musician I hope to be.'
Veda Lin, BMus Oboe

Department of Wind, Brass and Percussion teaching staff