Friday Feature: Phoebe & Josh (Lower 6th)

I have been at King Edward’s Witley since 3rd Form and I am now in the Lower 6th studying Music, PE and Biology.

My favourite thing about King Edward’s Witley is the close friendships I have with people in my year and across other year groups which I have made from the music connections within the choir and orchestra. It is also nice to have a variety of opportunities I can always get involved in, from all the extra music I take part in like the choir, vocal ensemble, orchestra, chamber orchestra, etc, as well as all the sporting activities and different events I can attend as a sixth former, like the recent careers evening or movie night.

My best memory at King Edward’s Witley is performing in House Music when I was in the 5th Form. We had so much fun when we were doing rehearsals between the Edward and Tudor Houses and helping getting members of the House involved, it developed lots of friendships between the boys and girls. I was also part of a band with a group of my friends and once we got on stage, we were all just having fun together after all the practice we did in advance. By the end of it, everyone seemed really excited about performing as a group and we actually ended up winning which was a bonus.

My favourite instrument is voice and I have been focusing a lot on developing my classical repertoire rather than just the musical theatre and pop I had originally learnt. I am hoping to study at a Royal Conservatoire for soprano and focus on singing and music for my future career. I have also begun to write my own songs which I hope to eventually perform and post online.

A musician I admire is Jacob Collier, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music which is where I would like to study. I admire the different musical elements he uses in his music and how he ‘breaks all the musical rules’. He writes songs, works with other famous singers and organises the scores himself for them to perform and record together. I hope to develop my musical skills as far as he has and be able to write such complex and enjoyable pieces of music.

I have been at King Edward’s Witley since 1st Form!

My favourite thing is the brilliant Music Department because of the opportunities and facilities it provides. For example, all of the trips into London and choir tours like Rome and Venice. We have brilliant facilities to practice and a recording studio as well.

Playing cricket in South Africa was amazing. On top of the nice weather and spectacular views, it was great fun playing some of the best teams in South Africa and being able to enjoy the country, doing things like visiting a game reserve, surfing, and looking down on Cape Town from tabletop mountain.

Piano because you can create some of the most wonderful music all by yourself, and you can play almost any song on the piano.

James Galway because of the way he’s pushing his instrument to the limit, playing things people didn’t think were possible to play, even at his age.