I fell in love with music at Xaverian for its passionately creative teachers and performers
Billy Harrison, A-level Music student, 2021
We’ve thought of everything you’ll need to be your best at Xaverian.
20 peripatetic music staff, and three accompanists, are on your team to help you shine.
And you’ll have lots of opportunities to work alongside other musicians in all kinds of different environments and productions.
Andrew Levendis is a graduate of The Royal Northern College of Music, studying the violin under the tutelage of Professor Richard Ireland, and has been the Director of Music at Xaverian College for 17 years. He has been at the forefront in the development of the Music department, increasing the number of students from 13 to 140 studying both A-level Music and Music Technology.
Andrew gives private theory lessons and
teaches the violin. He is also a freelance musician/conductor, regularly performing in string quartets, Greek bands and orchestras. Andrew has recently taken the role of the musical director of the Trafford Music Service Philharmonic Orchestra.
Louis de Satgé is a piano accompanist, tutor, and singer. He has recently graduated from the University of Manchester, where he was a répétiteur for 2 short operas (Kurt Weill’s ‘Down in the Valley’ and Malcolm Williamson’s ‘The Happy Prince’) and directed the music for two Musical Theatre Productions (Lloyd-Webber’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and Starkid’s ‘A Very Potter Musical’). His accompaniment work includes rehearsals with Manchester-based choirs The Cosmo Singers and Canzonetta, as well as for a number of student recitals and workshops.
As a performer, in 2017 he performed in a 4-hand piano concerto for Saint-Saëns’ ‘Carnival of the Animals’. He also has performed solo recitals, including work by Haydn, Bach, Brahms, Couperin, Gershwin, Prokofiev, Debussy, and Janacek. As a choral singer, he performed for Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to Westminster Cathedral in 2011, and in Mahler’s 8th Symphony in 2010 for the BBC Proms.
Ged is a teacher, musician and composer. He has worked in a variety of genres ranging from choral, musical theatre, orchestral, modern Christian music through to performing, writing and producing popular indie and house music as a producer and session musician.
He enjoyed a teaching position with the award-winning Manchester Music Service for over ten years specialising in teaching music technology , directing city-wide senior ensembles and teaching classroom music curriculum to pupils with varying special educational needs.
He is a professional choral director having directed such choirs as the Manchester United Youth Choirs, national Magic Voices Choirs and the Manchester Consort.
As well as his teaching role at Xaverian, Ged works closely with the renowned theatre company “Ten Ten Theatre” writing innovative drama and music products. Ged recently directed a full recording session at Abbey Road Studio 1 for a “Children In Need” charity single.
Ben is a graduate of the University of Manchester, where he obtained a first class degree in music, was awarded the Hargreaves prize for Dissertation for his analysis of Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie, and was one of the winners of the 2022 concerto competition. He has been working at Xaverian since 2018.
Ben enjoys a varied freelance career, which has recently involved working with the likes of Manchester Camerata, Northern Film Orchestra, Kantos Chamber Choir, Huddersfield Choral Society, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Triple Scotch Ceilidh Band, Concerts by Candlelight, Arden School of Theatre, Institute for Contemporary Theatre, and the Hallé Youth Choirs. He has also appeared in pit bands for over 30 shows around the North West.
An experienced chamber and orchestral musician, Ben has been a collaborative pianist for Conservatoire/University recitals, BBC Young Musician of the Year, both the National and International Eisteddfods of Wales, A Level performances and ABRSM exams from grade 1 up to diploma level, covering a wide variety of repertoire. Orchestral highlights have included performances of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, as well as concerto performances of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra.
Whilst at University, Ben took part in chamber music masterclasses with the Danel Quartet and Huw Watkins, performing movements from Shostakovich and Brahms piano quintets and Huw Watkins’ horn trio, as well as giving world premiere performances of several works by staff and students.
An active member of the Manchester University Music Society, Ben regularly plays in the University Symphony Orchestra on trombone and has been involved in several chamber music projects during his time at University. Whilst at Xaverian, he performed Gershwin’s jazz concerto, “Rhapsody In Blue", with the College orchestra in 2017. Ben now accompanies students for recitals and performance classes, in addition to teaching piano and ABRSM grade 5 theory. Ben has appeared in pit bands for several shows across the Manchester area, including Sweeney Todd, Little Shop Of Horrors, Footloose, The Addams Family, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, and Chicago.
Ellie studied at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music where her teachers were Victoria Simonsen and Gillian Thoday. She has performed in masterclasses for internationally renowned cellis such as Miklos Perenyi, Steven Doane, Hannah Roberts and Karine Georgian. She has has a wealth of orchestral experience and plays with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic and Orchestra of Opera North as a freelancer.
Ellie is also a member of the Anella quartet, who won several of RNCM's Chamber music awards and perform across the UK. She has a diverse range of musical interests and frequently collaborates with artists of a variety of genres such as Jazz musician Bill Laurance, UK Garage legend DJ Spoony and folk singer-songwriter Anna Mcluckie. Ellie splits her time between teaching and performing and has several years' teaching experience; in school settings with Wigan Music Service and Xaverian College and also working for outreach charities Music 4 the Many and Olympias Music Foundation.
Played/toured/recorded with:
Manchester Camerata Orchestra
West Side Story (Royal Exchange)
Manchester Concert Orchestra
Motown the musical UK tour
Kaleidoscope Orchestra
Chris Potter
Frank Wildhorn
Rocky Horror Show U.K. Tour
Last Five Years
Hairspray UK tour
Flux Pavilion
Dr Meaker
Joy Division Orchestrated
Beats & Pieces Big Band
Nichla Smith Quintet
Mathew Halshall and the
Gondwana Orchestra
Tocha
‘The Producers’ the musical
(royal exchange)
Carmel McCourt
Gareth Gates
Tommy Hunt
Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange)
Caoilifhionn Rose (Gondwana
Records)
Skeltr
Buffalo Brothers
Christian Fields/ ubasute
Daniel Wellens - Urban Skies
Steve White Drum clinics
Kent pantomime studio tracks
‘Gypsy’ the musical at the Royal
Exchange
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
bass guitar
Chesque Evans E.P
Individual:
Original work/ venues
Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley
Nonet
Three jazz albums out
Manchester jazz festival
Southport jazz festival
Marsden jazz festival
Bath spa university jazz
Royal Albert Hall London
Bridgewater Hall
Palace Theatre
Masterclass
University of Salford -
University Jazz Masterclass
Huddersfield University -
University Jazz Masterclass
Kendal Calling
Creamfields
Green man festival
Various festivals, gigs and
radio play.
Most theatres in county
Teaching experience:
Bass Guitar and Double bass
tutor at Xaverian College
Stand in bass tutor at RNCM
pop course
Stand in bass tutor at
University of Salford
Awards/qualifications:
Winner of James
Morrison Jazz
Master award.
1st class honours degree specialising in jazz performance and composition.
Also crossover classical musician being taught by Peter Wilmot from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra from a young age - classical double bass. Ireland, and throughout the UK, as well as having his performances broadcast on national television
Rachel took up the cello at age seven. Having developed her playing under the tutors of Hertfordshire Music Service and winning the Peter Lambourne Youth Bursary Prize for music in North Hertfordshire, she went on to study for her undergraduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, under Gillian Thoday. Here she took a variety of opportunities to perform abroad with RNCM Symphony Orchestra, as well as closer to home in the Manchester International Festival. Rachel studied for her postgraduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, under Ursula Smith. As a soloist, she has been selected for masterclasses with Ralph Kirshbaum, Victoria Simonsen and Alexander Baillie.
Now juggling a busy freelance career at various concerts, events and performances across the country, Rachel is also a keen cello tutor, previously holding teaching posts at music schools in both Manchester and London. She regularly gives music workshops with young people, with a particular interest in the Early Years sector.
Jennifer works with orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, Northern Chamber Orchestra and Manchester Camerata, as well as being seated as principal flute in the Kaleidoscope Orchestra and Brayfield Orchestra.
Alongside performing, Jennifer works for the charity Music In Hospitals and Care, holding residencies in two hospitals where she plays in the intensive care unit to patients, families and staff. Jennifer gives flute masterclasses across the UK and coaches on national orchestral youth courses, in addition to being sought out as a chamber musician, soloist and teacher.
Thomas is a freelance Bass Opera Singer, Vocal Animateur and Musical Director. As a Musical Director Thomas has worked with Feelgood Theatre Productions (Midsummer Night’s Dream 2017, Romeo & Juliet 2018, Dracula 2019 and the World Premiere of ‘These Days – The Manchester Peace Song Cycle’), RNCM Young Company (AMD Singin’ in the Rain 2017), The Academy Singers (2015 – present) and Nottinghamshire Scouts (Gang Shows 2010, 2012 & 2015).
As a Vocal Animateur he has worked with RNCM Young Company, Leeds Youth Opera, Xaverian College and Bishop Grosseteste University. Thomas is the Vocal Animateur in Residence for The Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, projects include; Friday Afternoons (Vocal Animateur & Chorus Master 2018), Collyhurst Sings (Vocal Animateur & Chorus Master 2016), The Planets (Chorus Master 2016) and Jason Manford Christmas Carol Concert (Chorus Master 2015). Thomas has sung with Opera North, Garsington Opera, Grange Park Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, Westminster Opera, The Royal Northern College of Music, Clonter Opera, Opera on Location, Northern Opera Group, The Halle, The Philharmonia, The English Concert and multiple choral societies.
LTCL, BMus(Hons), GRNCM (upper division), PGDipRNCM.
A graduate of both Manchester University and RNCM (joint course); Duncan pursues a busy career as both performer and teacher. He has performed with orchestras such as Opera North and the National Symphony Orchestra of London, and guest led various ensembles and orchestras such as the European Chamber Ensemble, and the Derwen Ensemble. With the award winning Ryebank Trio, he performs regularly for concert venues and music societies throughout the North West, as well as having performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra. As a soloist, Duncan also gives regular recitals.
As a teacher, Duncan works with a wide variety of ages, with his work including consultation lessons for both students applying to music colleges (who have gone on to major conservatoires), and students approaching the end of their time at conservatoires.
In 2019, Duncan was particularly proud to be appointed as a coach for the National Youth String Orchestra courses. On these courses, he takes sectionals, and tutors and mentors students ranging from the age of 12, to 18.
As well as teaching the violin at Xaverian Sixth Form College, Duncan organises and coaches chamber ensembles (sometimes playing alongside the students), and directs the String Orchestra. One of the highlights for him in recent years, was directing the String Ensemble at the RNCM in a performance of a Vivaldi Violin Concerto; with one of his students (now at the RNCM) performing as the soloist.
However it is in the development, improvement, and nurturing of the students – so integral to the philosophy of the Xaverian music department – that gives Duncan the most satisfaction and pride.
Jamie runs and performs in the Manchester based band Gypsies of Bohemia - a gypsy jazz ensemble specializing in arranging contemporary songs in a Gypsy Jazz style. The group regularly make appearances at most of the UKs leading festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, Boomtown, Green Man, Shambala, Kendal Calling, Womad, Secret Garden Party and are the regular house band at Festival No.6 as well as performing at functions and private/corporate events.
Jamie has taught guitar extensively from beginner to advanced levels in schools, colleges, music centres and privately around the North West and has extensive experience in preparing students for both Rockschool and ABRSM grade exams as well as teaching music theory, general musicianship and improvisation.
Graham leads a versatile musical life as a trumpeter and trumpet tutor. Since graduating from The University of Manchester in 2005 he has established a busy orchestral career, working with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata whilst also performing frequently in the jazz world, notably with the award winning Beats and Pieces Big Band and various small groups.
Graham has been teaching and leading ensembles for over ten years and has experience with young beginners right up to advanced students, with several successful music college applicants among his pupils.
Mike Cavanagh (b.1994) is from Stockport and began playing the baritone horn aged 8. Growing up in Stockport Schools’ Brass Band, he subsequently joined the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) where he held the Principal Baritone seat for five years under the direction of internationally renowned conductor Bramwell Tovey. Whilst at the NYBBGB, Mike performed as part of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall live on BBC Radio 3 and was a recipient of the coveted Maude Wright award; the Harold and Bernard Tovey award for excellence; the Harry Mortimer Concerto Soloist award and the Katie Ogden soloist prize. In January 2014 he accepted the position of Solo Baritone with the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band and after a short period with Brighouse and Rastrick Band, Mike joined Black Dyke in January 2020.
In June 2016 Mike graduated with First Class Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) under the tutorship of Professor Steven Mead and Dr. David Thornton. Whilst at the RNCM he was a co-founder of the multi award-winning A4 Brass Quartet and developed into a distinguished chamber musician. With A4 Brass Mike has won the internationally-recognised Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music competition (2018); the Royal Philharmonic Society Henderson Chamber Music prize (2018); a Tunnell Trust Award (2017); the Tillett Trust Young Artists’ Platform (2017) and selection as 2018 City Music Foundation Artists. He regularly works with Live Music Now! and Music in Hospitals & Care, helping to transform lives through the power of live music.
Mike prides himself on taking the Baritone to new audiences and venues for the instrument and performance highlights with A4 Brass include appearances at Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room in addition to concerts in Lithuania, Finland, Switzerland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. In June 2018 A4 Brass completed the prestigious RNCM International Artist Diploma in Chamber Music as John Fewkes Scholars and were subsequently invited to become Honorary Associate Artists of the RNCM in recognition of the quartet’s success in the music profession. In 2021, Mike became an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) with A4 Brass Quartet – the first and only ensemble ever to be awarded this prestigious title.
As a band member, Mike's performance career has taken him to many of the U.K’s leading concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall, The Sage, Snape Maltings and Perth Concert Hall, in addition to performing overseas in Australia, Uganda and France. In March 2020 he was delighted to accept the invitation from Besson/Buffet Crampon to become a Besson Artist and Consultant.
Rachel Abbott completed studies on ENO’s opera works programme in 2017 and prior to this she completed postgraduate studies at the RNCM.
Rachel often performs solo concerts and sings with choirs regularly. Her performances include The Fall of Jerusalem (Muldowney), Judas Maccabeus and The Messiah (Handel), Nelson Mass and The Creation (Haydn), MASSive (Barker), Requiem and Coronation Mass (Mozart).
Rachel has performed a variety of roles, including Donna Anna Don Giovanni (Mozart), Eleonora First the words then the music (Salieri), Valancienne The Merry Widow (Lehar), the title role in Norma (Bellini), created the role of Sophie Queen of Bohemia Nepomuk (Webb) Lady Macbeth Macbeth (Verdi) and Violetta La Traviata (Verdi).
Rachel has a wide-ranging musical background and plays numerous instruments as well as singing. She teaches singing and piano privately and in schools as well as co-running a local community choir. Rachel absolutely loves bringing music to the community and sharing a sing song.
Laurie has been playing professionally since 2009 when he graduated from Salford University. He works in Manchester’s best studios (Blueprint, Eve, Airtight, Limefield) and with many of its finest musicians. Laurie has a passion for the music of Cuba - the Rumba, Salsa, and the Timba and has studied with some of the legends from the island, such as Afrocuba De Matanzas, Clave y Guaguanco and Changuito.
Laurie finds teaching a hugely rewarding vocation and prides himself on developing his students. He believes It can be empowering, confidence-building and life changing. As a practitioner he strives to not only develop a person's technical ability but to also helps them grow as individuals and to find their unique voice.
Adam is an Alumni of the Royal Northern College of Music where he completed his Bachelor and Master of Music courses under the direction of Stephane Rancourt, Hugh McKenna and Jennifer Galloway. His Wind Quintet, Festivo Winds, have given numerous concerts across the country and have won the Trevor Wye woodwind chamber music competition and have also won the audience prize for the Christopher Rowland Competition.
Adam has played with the BBC Philharmonic, BBC NOW and Halle orchestras and has played in the BBC proms at the Royal Albert Hall performing Bernstein's Mass with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has performed at leading concert venues across the country including Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St David's Hall to name a few.
Richard has studied at both the Royal Northern College of Music and Trinity Laban and is now an in demand musician on the jazz scene in Manchester. He is an experienced teacher of all abilities from beginners through to higher education.
Benjamin Pinto, ex music scholar at Princethorpe College began music at an early age, and in his early years before entering the Royal Northern College of Music was bestowed with various achievements as a sign of his potential, these include the Seamus Doyle Cup, The Don Chambers Memorial Trophy for Music And most notably Ben was fortunate enough to win the Nigel Cobb fellowship where he performed Weber’s 1st clarinet concerto. Winning this led ben onto performing Tartinis concertino for clarinet and chamber orchestra which led on to the being asked to perform this at Birmingham symphony hall. He has also played at venues including Radio City Hall in Bratislava, Royal Albert Hall, Caldron Hall, St Georges Hall, Bridgewater hall and Warwick arts centre.
Ben was fortunate enough to be offered a place at the prestigious university Royal Northern College of Music. Where he studies under the guidance of ex-RLPO principal clarinet, Nicholas cox and Gabor Varga. He has also benefited from consultation lessons with various leading clarinettists, Romain Guyot, Antonio Saulgero, Calogero Palermo, Sarah Watts, and Andrew Marriner. Benjamin is very fortunate to be picked to take part in a number of projects at RNCM, some of the highlights have included taking part in brand new orchestra and showcasing premiers of various works from composers at RNCM, performing two Puccini operas, and taking part in numerous RNCM wind orchestra recordings, again premiering brand new music. He has also taken time to specialise in bass clarinet, performing in RNCM Symphony orchestra, and children’s orchestra. This has lead onto Benjamin performing with alongside orchestras such as Manchester Camerata and Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Benjamin was also fortunate enough to be a part of the Halle professional employment scheme. From this he has gone on to perform Petruskha with the acclaimed orchestra. Benjamin was fortunate enough to be asked to record Mozart clarinet concerto in 2020 with the incredible orchestra in Bridgewater hall.
Whist studying at RNCM Benjamin has taken the time to get involved in an outreach project, All Saints music service, where he volunteers to teach children from a noted deprived area. These children would not get the opportunity to learn an instrument if this was not the case. Benjamin is now looking forward to develop studying at RNCM.
Emily McArthur is a multi-instrumentalist from Manchester. She originally started playing recorder at the age of seven, but soon branched out to play flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. She studied saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the direction of Rob Buckland, Andy Scott and Carl Raven.
Emily has kept up her passion for playing all of the woodwind instruments and takes pleasure in playing for musicals in and around Manchester. Some memorable past productions include In the Heights, West Side Story and Fame!
Emily is a musician that has received funding from prestigious organisations including the EMI Sound Foundation, Awards for Young Musicians and the Felicity Belfield Trust. This funding has been received for various instruments and skills, which she continuously plays and develops. Before studying at the RNCM, she was a member of the following national ensembles: National Youth Wind Ensemble, National Youth Jazz Collective and the National Youth Recorder Orchestra. This ensemble experience inspired Emily to study musical performance further.
She also studied here, at Xaverian 6th Form College in Music, Drama and English. She thoroughly enjoyed her time here and looks forward to future concerts, both playing in them and leading ensembles.
Emily is also a member of the team at Forsyth Music Shop, where she takes an active role their instrument and sheet music department. She also works for Macclesfield Music Service, where she runs recorder lessons and an intermediate wind ensemble.
As well as playing the wind instruments, Emily studied a Wind Repair Course at the Trevor Head School of Wind and Brass Repair and is gaining experience in this area.
A first class honours graduate of the RNCM, Michael’s first post was as an assistant composer for the Oscar-winning Gabriel Yared. From there, he has built a reputation as a composer and orchestrator for films, documentaries and video games, writing for, among other clients, BBC, Channel 4, the LEGO video game series and SEGA. In recent years he has been part of the scoring team for an Oscar-nominated film (Björn Runge’s The Wife) and orchestrates frequently for other composers and bands, including the Ivor Novello-winning Ian Livingstone and Bafta-winning Jocelyn Pook.
Michael continues to write for the concert hall too, and recent commissions have seen his work performed in St. Martin In The Fields (Ballade, 2016) and recorded on the Phonoclassical label (Concertino on Albanian Themes, 2021). Upcoming commissions include collaborations with internationally renowned guitarist Laura Young and the Gaelán String Quartet.
Alongside the above, Michael continues to work in music education as a freelance teacher of composition and violin, and has previously worked as a composition tutor at both Xaverian College and Yorkshire Young Musicians.
Eleanor is a recent graduate of the University of Manchester, having studied a Bachelor of Music with emphasis on conducting. She holds a vast range of experience leading a variety of ensembles, with a grounding in both choral and instrumental conducting. Eleanor has conducted the University of Manchester String Orchestra, University of Manchester Wind Orchestra and University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra. Recent highlights include rehearsing and performing Tchaikovsky’s 4th symphony, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and the world premiere of Murrough Connolly’s Litmus Papers.
Alongside her orchestral work, Eleanor is a committed singer and choral conductor. She has conducted both Ad Solem Chamber Choir and The Cosmo Singers, as well the University of Manchester Chorus which boasts a membership of over 200 singers. Eleanor has premiered numerous choral works within these roles, such as When the sirens sounded by Daniel Brennan, It Is Raining by George Bingham and Libera me by Eleanor Ridley. Furthermore, Eleanor was the Musical Director for the Music Society Opera, leading rehearsals, and performances of Malcolm Williamson’s The Happy Prince. In 2021 Eleanor founded The Marie Consort to provide further performance opportunities and chamber choir experience to the University students. With this choir, she has performed works such as Go, song of mine by Edward Elgar, Canticum Calamitatis Maritimae by Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, Hymn to St Cecilia by Benjamin Britten, and Män från slätten och havet by Jean Sibelius. In addition to this, Eleanor has been appointed as the Musical Director of the Crosby Capriol Singers.
Eleanor is currently tutored by Robert Guy and has participated in several conducting masterclasses. At the beginning of 2020 she was invited to participate in a masterclass for women conductors, run by Alice Farnham and the Royal Philharmonic Society. More recently, she has been involved with the Cardiff International Academy of Conducting, where she worked with Jonathan Mann (Ensemble Cambrica) and Irina Walters (Purcell School) as well as Musicfest Aberystwyth where she worked with Toby Purser and James Henshaw.
William Hartley is currently a Bassoonist studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester under the tutelage of Graham Salvage, Richard Ion, Andrea Zucco, and Contrabassoon with Simon Davies. He has honed a diverse range of skills and gained lots of experience during his studies playing with the RNCM Opera Orchestra and as Principal Bassoon with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. In his third year he was successful enough to gain a place on the Swiss Mobility Programme and went to study at the prestigious Hochschule Luzern Musik with Professor Michael Von Schonermark and Professor Hans Agreda. During his studies in Switzerland he was privileged enough to perform with the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester as Principal Bassoon, and for a production of the Magic Flute in the Bern Opera House also as Principal Bassoon. William is also part of numerous successful chamber music groups performing different styles of music and his wind quintet, Solar Winds are touring on the Isle of Man in October 2022, being invited after a very successful performance at the RNCM earlier this year. William is a very diverse player and his playing lends itself to all styles and genres, from basso continuo playing in baroque ensembles; contrabassoon and supporting roles in a modern symphony and opera orchestra; principal bassoon playing in demanding repertoire and to concerto soloist opportunities (He also performed the Jolivet Concerto with a high level freelance orchestra in Switzerland in June 2022). As a 21st century musician, William understands the importance of new and exciting music, to draw audiences in and promote the next generation of successful writers. On his exchange, he was fortunate enough to meet and work intensely with internationally acclaimed performer and composer Daniel Schnyder. In Zurich he worked on and recorded two albums of new compositions with Daniel, and is going to perform a new work for bassoon, he is also an advocate of his music and aims to bring it to popularity in the UK. William works as a freelancer across the country and has ongoing freelance work with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and his reeds are also available to purchase directly through William’s website- WillHartleyBassoon
Saxophonist Anthony Brown graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with an International Artist Diploma in chamber music and a First Class Honours degree, attaining full marks in his final recital.
He has won awards from The Worshipful Company of Musicians, the Tillett Trust, Park Lane Group, Making Music and the Hattori Foundation, as well as first prize in the Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition and the Bromsgrove International Young Musicians’ Platform.
Anthony Brown has performed extensively throughout the UK, including solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall (2013, 2014, 2015) and the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room (2014). He has performed with orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmoic, Hallé, Opera North, Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He features on a CD with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, and has performed live and recorded broadcasts as a soloist at the BBC Proms and also with Beats and Pieces Big Band on BBC Radio 3.
Anthony currently has plans to record his debut CD, which will draw upon composers and musicians that have influenced his early career.
Luke was a Music student at Xaverian from 2010 to 2012 and then went on to study Popular Music and Recording at Salford University. He specialises in Pop and Jazz arranging and performance, media composition and music production.
Luke has had a comprehensive range of roles in schools and colleges but outside of education he remains a performer, live sound and recording engineer and bandleader. Noddy Holder once described one of Luke's bands as 'a great band'.
Hannah has recently graduated with a First Class Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music, where she studied with Jenny Galloway, Jonathan Small and Gill Callow. During her time at the RNCM she was part of lots of projects, highlights include playing under Sir Mark Elder. She has been awarded the Winfield/ Graham Solo Wind Prize and 2nd place for the Evelyn Rothwell (Barbirolli) Oboe Prize.
Since graduating, Hannah has played with the BBC Philharmonic and was also offered places on the Hallé and Opera North Professional Experience Schemes whilst at RNCM.
She enjoy performing across the North of England with her Reed Quintet ‘Northern Reeds’. Recent successes include winning the RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble of the Year Award, the Fewkes Prize and the audience vote of Christopher Rowland Prize.
Hannah is also passionate about Women in Music, and is a co-director of EMPOWER; an organisation showcasing women in music and the arts annually in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Beatriz is an Alumni of the Royal Northern College of Music, where she completed her Master of Music, Postgraduate Diplomas: Advance Studies in Performance in both Bassoon and Contrabassoon, all with Distinction. At the RNCM, she studied with Stefano Canuti, Andrea Zucco, Roberto Giaccaglia, Richard Ion and Simon Davies. She has been
fortunate enough to be part of lots of projects, such as RNCM Opera, RNCM Symphony Orchestra and side-by-sides with Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Manchester Camerata.
As a freelancer, she has played with Opera North, the Hallé and Brigantes Orchestra, amongst others.
Chamber music is also a major interest in her music life and she is a member of The Alvarium Quintet, Azalea Wind Quintet and the William Waterhouse Ensemble.
The Summer Concert 2021 was recorded on the 1st and 2nd of July in the college’s Drama Studio and Sports Hall, it is available on the department’s YouTube Channel – Xaverian College Music.
Ged Marciniak and his team of Music Mentors and ex-students recorded, videoed and produced the whole concert using the college’s state of the art recording facilities and equipment.
The concert consisted of Xaverian students, instrumental tutors and ex-students, it was all put together within a 4-week period, showing the fantastic abilities of the students and the ultra-professional guidance and direction by Xaverian staff and tutors.
Orchestra:
Brass Band:
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by John Williams, arranged by Steve Sykes.
Big Band:
Clarinet Group:
Tritsch Tratsch Polka by Johann Strauss, arranged by David Schorr.
String Orchestra:
Chamber Choir:
The Xaverian College Christmas Concert 2020 was produced as an online video and is available on the department’s YouTube Channel – Xaverian College Music. All students and staff demonstrated exemplary professionalism in both performance and attitude under the current restrictions. The recordings took part over a four-day grueling schedule.
The Music Department, using the correct social distancing, recorded the ensembles in the Drama Studio and the Sports Hall.
You can watch the full Christmas Concert here:
The Xaverian College Young Musician of The Year Competition was held in November There were 20 entries and the musicians demonstrated an extremely high level of performance; the hardest adjudication to date.
"The experience has made me believe in myself more. It has shown me that all the hard work I do is recognised and it has given me the confidence for future solo performances."
Maisie Ellul (Violin) Winner of the Most Improved Musician
The RNCM visit Xaverian College on an annual basis to run performance masterclasses. Students receive extensive feedback for their performances and are guided on how to prepare for auditions, competitions and recitals.
In November, RNCM spent three hours coaching our fantastic students, they conducted two classes simultaneously: one for classical and one for pop/jazz musicians.
Senior representatives, Rob Buckland (Deputy Head of Chamber Music for Wind, Brass and Percussion) and Stuart McCallum (Deputy Head of Popular Music) led the event. The feedback enabled students to improve posture, communication, phrasing, interpretation, technique and musicianship.