News Students Perform at the Highest Level 14.07.2021

Two students studying A level music at Collyer’s have made sure that their return to live performance is at the very highest level. Nathaniel Taberner-Smith, who joined Collyer’s from The Forest School in Horsham, successfully auditioned for the highly competitive National Youth Jazz Collective Summer School, offered to only 45 of the nation’s best young jazz musicians, led by world class jazz performers and educators. Archie Freeman, who previously attended the Weald in Billingshurst, successfully auditioned for the world-famous National Youth Orchestra, only open to young musicians who have already achieved the very highest degree of technical facility on their instrument.

Archie’s first performance with the National Youth Orchestra will be at the BBC Proms this summer. Archie said: “I feel very lucky to be a part of such an amazing youth orchestra, especially after a year without any live rehearsals and concerts, and am really looking forward to our first live residencies in the summer.”

Both Nathaniel and Archie have also reached the top of their ensembles at West Sussex Music, with Archie leader of the County Youth Orchestra and Nathaniel leading the Youth Big Band.

Ben Dowsett, director of music at Collyer’s said: “Successfully auditioning for these high-level ensembles is an impressive achievement, being the culmination of many years of dedication to their music studies and individual practice. It is also a testament to their specialist instrumental teachers, provided for them on the bursary scheme at Collyer’s.”

Vice principal (pastoral) Andrea John said: “We have an outstanding music department at Collyer’s and we are incredibly proud of Archie and Nathaniel’s success on the national stage. Colossal thanks to Ben for his superb work and congratulations to these gifted students.”

Archie Freeman

Nathaniel Taberner-Smith