Music scholars at Felsted Preparatory School are playing in national ensembles.

Steffi Rodley, Sana Abu Jabir, Charles Campbell-Peek, Matthew Best, Tabitha Fox and Aimee Schilder are all performing above their age level in a range of instruments.

Steffi Rodley, who is head chorister in the Felsted Chapel Choir, has won a place in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. Entry is open to pupils up to 18 years old, so this is a great achievement for Steffi, who only turned 13 in December. Steffi is a trumpet player in the school jazz band and orchestra.

Felsted has a partnership with the Junior Guildhall (School of Music and Drama) in London where a number of students study on a Saturday.

Among these pupils is Charles Campbell-Peek, who represents Felsted in the National Children’s Orchestra and has now won a place on the London Symphony Orchestra String Scheme for exceptionally talented young musicians.

Charles holds a distinction in grade 7 violin and is currently studying for his Grade 8 on the double bass and grade 6 on the trombone.

Sana Abu-Jabir is a first study percussionist at Junior Guildhall, who also plays viola and piano. She plays regularly for Essex Youth Jazz and the Junior Guildhall Symphony Orchestra.

Tabitha Fox and Matthew Best play with the Felsted Senior School jazz band and Aimee Schilder, the leader of the Felsted Preparatory School Orchestra, recently won the Junior string prize at the Bishop’s Stortford Music Festival. Matthew recently scored distinction in Grade 6 cello and is a regular member of the Essex Young Person’s Orchestra, and Aimee is working at Grade 5 in both piano and violin and Tabitha has achieved grade 8 in treble recorder.

Director of preparatory school music, Owen Rees said; “Our music scholars set a fabulously high standard and inspire many other pupils at school. They are leaders in music and set a fine example with their commitment when practising, and their talent when performing.”

Pupils who hold a music scholarship with the school study the same curriculum as everyone else in their year as well as extra-curricular music.