Music Dept. Staff
Andrew Barlow (Director of Music) read Music at Oxford University (Keble College), and then researched into French Organ Music at Nottingham University, from where he was awarded a scholarship from the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique for further study in France. His PGCE was taken at Lancaster (S. Martin's College). He plays and has taught the keyboard (organ/piano/harpsichord) and the trombone on which instrument he has played for the British Youth Symphony Orchestra, and in traditional jazz bands. He has composed a lot of music, primarily for Blundell's including musicals (Why the Whales Came), choral works and solo items. He is an examiner for the Associated Board, a senior examiner for Edexcel A level, and examines for AQA A level as well. He has accompanied local choral societies and been their conductor. He has given pre-concert talks for the International Orchestral Series in Plymouth, adjudicated for the South West Young Musician of the Year and given Inset sessions for the A level syllabus. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Alexandra Berry (Piano) has taught at Blundell's since 1987. She was taught by the renowned Reginald Thompson under whose tuition she took her diploma. She also teaches at Blundell's Prep School and at the Cathedral School in Exeter. Her musical interests also include playing the violin, as well as coaching theory. She has a thriving private teaching practice where pupils learn piano and theory.
Rosie Bruce (Singing) graduated from the Froebel Institute having studied for a B.Ed degree with Music as her main subject. She has taught at, and been responsible for all the music at Blundell's Prep School formerly (St Aubyn's) for many years. While she teaches music to all age group singing is her main practical expertise and Rosie has sung with many groups, taking on solo roles. Presently she sings with Con Spirito which performs regularly.
Lynn Carter (Oboe) was born in the American Midwest and studied with Ray Still, first oboist of the Chicago Symphony. At the age of 21 she was offered the job of principal oboe of the Orquesta Filarmonica de la UNAM in Mexico City. She moved to Germany for further studies with Heinz Holliger. She has played in various German and Swiss orchestras including the West German Radio, Bonn, Bochum, Konstanz and Biel/Bienne. She was soloist with the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra touring throughout Europe and North America. She settled in the South West of the UK and now enjoys freelance work in the area, including Orchestra West, Somerset Opera, and Bristol Philharmonic.
Dave Cartwright (Percussion) played the snare drum from the age of 7 and at 12 was the Junior World champion. He became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain playing in Prom concerts at the Albert Hall as well as in the Barbican, and Usher Hall in Edinburgh. He studied at the Leeds College of Music, and after graduating signed to EMI recording company. He played in the West End at the Talk of London, spent three years with David Essex and played and recorded with Bucks Fizz. He appeared in the film, Churchill the Hollywood Years with Christian Slater and Harry Enfield. He has also played on cruise ships, performed in pantomime, and in summer shows.
David Cottam (Classical Guitar) studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and as well as being in demand as a teacher is a solo performer and composer. He performs a wide variety of guitar music and has written extensively for the instrument. Some of his pieces have been used for exams and some for the new Music Medals scheme introduced recently by the Associated Board. His recordings include four solo CD's and one of flute and guitar (with Sarah Small). His most recent, Dreams and Dances, includes music from Cuba and South America as well as original compositions.
Sarah Coucher (Singing) studied music at Chichester College and the Royal Academy of Music where her tutors included Clara Taylor (now chief examiner for the Associated Board), Michael Wakeham (D'Oyly Carte), Bill Ives (composer and Kings Singer) and Peter Gelhom (German lieder). Sarah has worked with international directors and conductors (Carlo Rizzi and Nicholas Cleobury) and sung many roles including Papagena, Susanna, Musetta. Her recitals and concerts have included working with Glyndebourne soloists and Welsh National Opera. Former pupils have performed in West End shows, and won scholarships to the music and drama colleges. Besides Blundell's Sarah works in Somerset as well.
Susanne Davies (violin) studied the violin at the Royal Academy of Music with Diana Cummings. She then took a BA degree in Performing Arts at Middlesex University. She taught extensively in Surrey (inc Cranleigh School) before moving to the West Country where she began teaching at Blundell's Prep School. She has been involved in Fiddle Fun, a scheme introducing and motivating the very young. She has considerable orchestral experience playing with the Surrey Philharmonic, the Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra, the Guildford Symphony Orchestra and the Clarendon Orchestra.
Fiona Greaves ('Cello) studied at the Royal Academy of Music with the inspirational Florence Hooton and chamber music coaches Sydney griller and Rex Stephens. She gained a distinction in her finals and her quartet won several Academy prizes. She was awarded also the Guilhermina Suggia cello scholarship for her final year. Fiona has taught privately and within the schools system (with a particular association with Bedales) and coached both chamber ensembles and youth orchestra string sections. She has performed in many solo and chamber concerts. In 1993 Fiona invented a teaching aid for music which she and her husband make and market.
Julie Hill (Violin) studied for a degree in music before being awarded a Laura Ashley Foundation Scholarship to pursue postgraduate performance studies at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has studied with Sophie Langdon, Susanne Stanzeleit and Margaret Faultless, and appeared in masterclasses with the Brodsky Quartet and Ivry Gitlis. She combines her teaching of violin and viola (at the Exeter Cathedral School too) with a variety of performing ensembles including the Devon Baroque and a string quartet.
Marianna Katerelou (Piano), Dip.S.E., E.N.M.P., MMus, T.C.M. commenced her studies in Athens with the pianist Natalia Michaelides at Nikos Skalkotas Conservatory where she obtained her Diploma of piano with distinction. She then was awarded scholarships from the Academy of Athens and the Alexander Onassis Foundation to continue with postgraduate studies in Paris at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (ENMP) and in London at Trinity College of Music where she obtained a masters degree (MMus) in performance under the tutelage of Yonty Solomon. She has given solo recitals in Paris (Cité des Arts), Athens (Atheneaum, Nakas Hall, Centre of Arts of Halandri, Hall of the “Alexander Onassis” foundation), London (St. Olave’s Church, St. Lawrence Jury, St. Alfege, All Hallows Church, Blackheath Halls) and has also participated in the summer festival of Saintes with piano duet repertoire. She has been teaching for several years and has developed a special interest in incorporating natural ways of practicing into piano teaching based on the Feldenkrais method, which was also the topic of her MMus dissertation.
Michael Langdon-Davies (Clarinet) studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with the legendary Israeli clarinettist Yona Ettlinger. He taught in the junior section of the Guildhall while embarking on a freelance career in London working for orchestras such as Sadlers Wells, the Royal Ballet, and the London Wind Ensemble and Endymion Ensemble. He has made solo appearances in recitals at the Purcell Room (South Bank Centre) and at the international festival in Les Arcs. He has r4corded for the BBC and ITV and produced a CD of French clarinet music. He has continued his work as soloist and in ensembles and orchestras since moving to the West Country.
Linda Marshall Cole (Singing) trained with Ruth Packer at the Royal College of Music and coached by the great lieder specialist Walther Gruner. Later she worked with Wynna Evans who imparted a profound appreciation of vocal technique. Fascination with the study of the human voice led to the completion of stages 1 and 2 of the Estill Voice Training Systems and the prescribed study of human anatomy. This understanding of the science of singing has been very beneficial in her teaching especially for music theatre. She is interested in a wide range of style and she has performed many operatic roles (Lady Macbeth -Verdi, Aida — Verdi, Tosca — Puccini and Carmen — Bizet). Her performances have also included oratorio (Verdi's Requiem, Britten's War requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah as well as Strauss Four Last Songs). She is married to physician/musician and together they perform humorous programmes of music and poetry. Linda runs a private practice too, has been a tutor in summer school courses and had been involved with other schools but has now settled for teaching at her beloved Blundell's.
John Small (Guitar/Electric Guitar) has a wealth of experience as a solo performer and is well known as the leader of the band Honest John which performs in London as well as locally. He has produced several CD's with his band. He studied at the Dartington College of Arts graduating not only in Performing Arts but also in Music and Arts Management. Besides his guitar tuition which includes acoustic, and electric as well as bass, he teaches elements of Music Technology.
Sarah Small (Flute) was taught by Brigitte Norland a former teacher at Blundell's, and then by Judy Hall (of the Covent Garden Opera House), and Michael Cox (principal flute, BBC Symphony Orchestra). Her diploma was gained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. As a freelance flautist Sarah has played with many local orchestras (Western Sinfonia, Wells Sinfonietta) and has given recitals including those with David Cottam (guitar) with whom she has also recorded a CD.
Chris Taylor (Brass) was a member of the National youth Brass Band of Great Britain, experiencing conductors such as Sir Adrian Boult. He joined the Forces and played for the Royal Engineers Band. He moved to the Royal Academy at Sandhurst where he joined the teaching staff. His engagements here included performances at Buckingham Palace and at the FA Cup Final as well as many broadcast events with the BBC. He also worked for Surrey County Council's Music department. Having left the Forces he moved to Cornwall to become Head of Brass for the North Cornwall authority. From there he moved to Blundell's.
Bridget Tosh (Piano) studied Music and English at Reading University. She taught English in a school in Reading before moving to Tiverton. She built up a practice of piano teaching in Tiverton, and after achieving the Diploma in Piano Teaching in Private Practice from the Associated Board became a mentor for the course. She has been much involved with local music, playing for the Tiverton Operatic Society, as well as accompanying for other events and festivals. She plays the organ at St James Church and is involved in Diocesan music.
Greta Tucker (Piano) was a pupil of Harold Craxton (who edited a lot of piano music especially for the Associated Board). At 16 she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where she studied piano and cello studying with Gordon green and Joan Bonner, and later with Kenneth von Barthold. She worked in London as accompanist and pianist before moving to the West Country. She plays the cello in a folk group, the double bass in a jazz band and the organ in the local village.
Nick White (Clarinet/Saxophone) studied at Chetham's specialist music school, Worcester College, Oxford, and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was taught by Thea King and Colin Lawson. He has had a diverse career playing with the Northern Ballet Orchestra, the Pasadena Roof orchestra, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Zippo's Circus Band among others. He has worked extensively as soloist as well. Currently he works with The Charleston Chasers and the Anglo-Sax Quartet. He has taught at Exeter University and Dartington College of Arts. He also works as an arranger, mainly for saxophone quartets and dance bands.
Hilary Wickham (Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone) studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and at the Royal Academy in London. She plays in a professional Saxophone Quartet and has her own Wind Trio. She is in much demand both as a performer in orchestras (many for musicals) and as a Musical Director. At the moment she is the Musical director for the Wellington and Tiverton Operatic Societies, and is in charge of the music for the Willow Tree Theatre Company.
Luke Wynell-Mayow (Assistant Director of Music) was Organ Scholar at St Boniface's Church, Crediton, before going on to read music at the University of Reading, where he specialised in composition and 20th Century Music. During his time there, he played with various ensembles including the University Jazz Orchestra, acted as accompanist for the Reading University Choral Society, and was Vice- President of the University Music Society. He completed his PGCE at Oxford Brookes University. As well as piano and organ, he also plays clarinet and electric bass, and has a particular interest in music technology. As well as being involved with the whole school music curriculum, he runs the A level Music Technology Courses.