Ellesmere College wins Business Education Award for Music 2018

Ellesmere College is celebrating today after being named the winner in the Education Business Awards for Music 2018. The awards took place in London on the 5th July 2018 at the Grange Hotel, London. Lexicographer and long term occupant of Dictionary Corner on Channel Four's Countdown, Susie Dent, presented the awards. The Education Business Awards - now in their 12th year - recognise schools across the UK for improving the standard of education and the life chances of their students, highlighting the vital work of educational professionals up and down the country.

Ellesmere was shortlisted with 4 other schools in the prestigious School Music Award sponsored by Stage Systems.

This comes off the back of a hugely successful and busy year for music at the College.

Following two years in which the music department has been shortlisted and commended by the Education Business Awards, the department continues to grow and thrive with an increase in both standards and opportunities for students at Ellesmere College and members of the wider community.

Under the skilled and enthusiastic leadership of Anthony Coupe, Director of Music, the Chamber Choir have had their most successful year yet, reaching the finals of both the Barnardo's National Choir Competition at the Royal Festival Hall, and the BBC Youth Choir of the Year competition, televised on Songs of Praise. The Chapel Choir have also made high profile performances including the High Sherriff's Legal Service for Shropshire and concerts at both St Peter's Basilica and the Pantheon in Rome.

This year has seen the launch of a new community orchestra, Ellesmere Sinfonia, with the aim of providing members with a full orchestral experience, and also the launch of the Chamber Music School with the challenge of encouraging musicians to develop their team and leadership skills by forming their own small ensembles with access to coaching as needed. This has seen the development of a woodwind quartet, a string quartet, an early music group and a brass ensemble.

The College continues to see students moving on to study music at degree level with the firm intention of pursuing a career in music.

As an Artsmark Platinum school, the music department is fully committed to collaborating with other schools and charities in the region to provide unforgettable experiences. Time was made available for the Director of Music to go out of school this year with the aim of developing and leading projects within both the Ellesmere primary school alliance and a range of prep schools.

In short, music continues to grow and prosper at Ellesmere College.

Congratulations to all the pupils and staff for all the hard work this year with Music and the award is a great way to finish the year.

5th July 2018  Back to News