Our Year 13 music students recently finished the performance element of their A Level. This momentous occasion in their musical careers at Wallingford School turned into one of reflection for Thea McSweeney, Year 13, who summarises her journey so far:

After my A level performance exam, I started to reflect on my journey learning the trumpet. This is an accumulation of 10 years of lots of practice and hard work. There have been many benefits and opportunities from playing an instrument as versatile as the trumpet.

I started playing at 8 years old at Cholsey Primary School, and soon joined Cholsey Silver Band. This was my first experience of playing in a group and it enabled me to start playing at Oxfordshire Youth Brass (OYB). This was one of the best opportunities given to me as not only was I able to play and meet some incredible musicians, but I also went on many residentials and trips abroad, where I met friends I still talk to now. The most notable was a tour we went on in 2018 to Cologne and Boppard in Germany. We played at some amazing venues! Whilst playing with OYB and Wantage Academy Brass, I went to lots of competitions across the country which were always lots of fun! And, there have been many opportunities at school as well: brass players are featured in most of the groups available, which means I have played in many groups with different styles of music, such as Bigg Band, Jazz Collective, Brass Group and Production Band. I think this year’s Spring Concert was around my 30th music event for the school!

Playing an instrument at Wallingford is a brilliant way to get involved in the school community and quite often you meet new friends, especially those who you wouldn’t usually spend time in class with or socially. The groups and ensembles perform at all concerts and events, including Founders Day and Open Evening, and other important community events too. As well as all the groups offered there are amazing external teachers who provide lessons and the opportunity to perform solo as well. The music department at Wallingford is so supportive and insanely knowledgeable surrounding their subject.

Wallingford always needs new brass players and with a few of us leaving at the end of the academic year the next generation of musicians needs to emerge to keep the music department going, so please consider playing a brass instrument!

Please email Ms Hammond if you’d like to start brass lessons: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.