Pianists from Wellington School were thrilled to be performing in a concert at the world-famous Steinway Hall in London. This concert celebrated the achievements of outstanding young pianists from the South West.
Four lucky pupils spent a day at Steinway Hall, looking around the workshops, talking to staff and playing the exquisite pianos and meeting the renowned pianist Daniel Grimwood. They were welcomed by Steinway Managing Director, Craig Terry, and Keith Glazebrook, Institutional Sales Manager. The pupils were honoured to share a stage with Daniel Grimwood – one of the most original musicians of his generation, whose talent is internationally renowned.
“In Autumn 2012, Wellington School launched a Piano Competition, to provide a platform for talented young pianists from schools and colleges across the South West, as well as our own students”, commented Andrew Trewhella, Director of Music at Wellington School. “The inaugural competition attracted a wealth of talent and the event provided a truly inspiring day and music-making of the highest order.”
“This year, the competition was hot and many talented musicians from across the South West performed beautifully, but all the winners were Wellington School pupils. This concert celebrated the achievements of the very worthy winners– Cindy Ma, who is in the Sixth Form and gained a distinction in her Grade 8 last term, and Thea Phillips, (14), Cindy was the winner of the Advanced Class in the Piano Competiton and Thea won the hotly contested Intermediate Class.,” said Andrew Trewhella. “Also performing were Wellington pupils Lydia Mitchell, (13) winner for the Foundation Class and Nathaniel Jenkins (13)”
Wellington School is the first All-Steinway independent school in England, and has 15 beautiful new pianos, including several concert grands. These wonderful instruments are in constant use for practice and performance ranging from A level lessons to Year 7 choir rehearsals and a diploma piano lesson to the Big Band’s rhythm section
The official accreditation as an All Steinway School came in March 2011 when the world-renowned concert pianist Joanna MacGregor came to give our inaugural recital to a packed and enraptured audience, including representatives from Steinway and Sons.
“Wellington’s partnership with Steinway has become something that other schools have already emulated and the number of All Steinway Schools continues to steadily grow. However, we are proud to have been the first such school in England and our Piano Competition and its association with this recital event in Steinway Hall remains a uniquely special opportunity for young pianists in the South West region. We intend our All Steinway School status to continue to support promising pianists and strengthen Wellington’s reputation as one of the very finest schools to study music,” concluded Andrew Trewhella.