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Original poster

Music high schools in the UK, Chetham's, Purcell or Wells Cathedral School?

33 replies

Bruennetzh · 02/05/2023 14:55

Hi there,
my boy (15 years old) has got the offers from the three schools, as a male vocalist (opera singing). Could you please tell me something about one or two or three of the three schools? Especially the music education and the academic education. Thank you very much!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bruennetzh · 24/06/2023 07:34

wellsquestions · 22/06/2023 14:24

hi @Bruennetzh - I've namechanged for this but just to say we've been going through this too. DD has gone for Wells and joins in September. Suspect she'll be in the same year as your son (10, for the first year of GCSEs) though she's not quite 14 at present. She is eligible for MDS, so the outcome would be the same financially whichever she chose.

There seems like quite a lot of music at Wells to us, and the head of department seems to hold all the cards as to what else DD can do with her time - for example she can audition for a school play but only with his permission. I'm hoping that the school will give the right balance for Dd - who is a bit too much of a 'joiner inner' for most people's comfort. Time will tell.Hope it goes brilliantly for your DS.

Glad that my DS will meet many interesting young musicians in the Wells, like your DD. He looks forwards to it already. 😀

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ZenNudist · 24/06/2023 07:38

My friend teaches at Chets and I've been to performances at the stoller Hall as well as toured the library. I love the way the librarian paints a picture of historic figures like marx engels and even dickens.

Love the brand new concert hall.

It's also unusual to have a school so central to a large city.

Original poster

Bruennetzh · 24/06/2023 07:49

@ZenNudist Thank you for sharing. Exactly, the location is an advantage for Chetham's.

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Hertsessex · 24/06/2023 10:01

Bruennetzh · 24/06/2023 07:24

Thank you! Actually I am quite curious about the reason why Purcell students still need to join JD in London at weekends. In my imagination the music students should get enough music teaching from the school itself and they don't need external lessons. I might be wrong. Obviously Purcell has the location advantage of close to London, and Chetham's is close to the Royal Northern Conservatories, which is also beneficial. Well's may not have such resources due to the location reason. Yes, we have decided for the Wells, and not regret. I was just curious about this point.

Show quote history

Well most don't need to and generally it is discouraged. However, many join Purcell having done JD first so want to carry on for a particular aspect - stay in touch with friends, a particular teacher, perhaps an instrument they aren't studying at Purcell or second study, perhaps studying jazz when focusing on classical at Purcell, an ensemble they like to be in etc. My son thought about it at one point but was encouraged not to.

Original poster

Bruennetzh · 24/06/2023 11:35

@Hertsessex I see, thank you for sharing.

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Original poster

Bruennetzh · 26/06/2023 00:00

@JRHartleysmum Yes, location is a big advantage. Thanks for sharing.

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Mt2025 · 18/02/2025 08:22

Hello @Bruennetzh
i am so glad I found this post
I'm looking to audition my son for Purcell this year. He is naturally talented however started playing much later than other children.
did your child board? I have been worried about the academic side as my son is at an independent school and he is a bright boy but music is his passion.
your post was just what I needed to see
thank you

Imsooverit15 · 31/03/2025 22:52

SweetforOrchestra · 05/05/2023 12:59

I’m in my early 30s so this is a little dated but I think generally speaking still
true. I know many people who went to all of these schools.

Purcell seemed to be the most focused on music/least academic, Chets I think has a fairly good balance, and Wells is probably less music focused/music dominates less compared to other academic subjects.

I went to both Cambridge and a London conservatoire. Loads of Chets and Wells musicians at both (studying things other than music as well as music); loads of Purcell musicians at conservatoire but only 1 that I can think of at Cambridge (possibly also because it’s a lot smaller).

All the people I knew loved their schools. Menuhin was a slightly different story.

Could you elaborate on Menuhin please? I have a 13 year old DD and we are looking to visit the school but would appreciate some feedback please as we all know schools often put on a show during open events.

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