She furthered her education at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, studying both early music and contemporary recorder with Walter van Hauwe and Paul Leenhouts, gaining her bachelor degree in 2008. She was a member of the ensemble The Royal Wind Music during her time in Amsterdam and performed in many concert halls and festivals throughout Europe and America including the Concertgebouw, Boston Early Music festival, Utrecht Early Music Festival, and Barcelona Early Music Festival.

From 2012-2015 she studied with Dorothee Oberlinger at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, gaining a Masters and Post-Graduate degree with distinction, where she focused on baroque performance practice. During her post-graduate degree she also worked as an assistant to the early music department as well as the contemporary music department at the Mozarteum University, where she organised many international workshops, courses, masterclasses and concerts. She performed in Denmark, Sweden and Canada with the Vienna-based contemporary ensemble Airborne Extended playing newly-commissioned works for recorder, flute, harp and harpsichord.

Ruth is currently a member of the recorder quintet Seldom Sene, specialising in consort and particularly renaissance repertoire, and with whom she has recorded six CDs – the seventh, Fortune Infortune (music from the court of Margaret of Austria) will be recorded in Amsterdam in November 2022.

My time at Chetham’s…

I studied at Chet’s from 2012 to 2017 as both a violin and a viola player. I saw a lot of things change in my time at the school: I joined as the New School Building was used for the first time, I saw the Palatine building come down and the new Victoria House built in the Nicholls Building, and I was here when The Stoller Hall first opened its doors.

Looking back on it now, I realise just how lucky I was to study within such amazing buildings with fantastic facilities and incredible teaching staff. Overwhelmingly though, I look back on my time at Chet’s and think about the amazing memories I made here and how much I enjoyed my 5 years as a Chet’s student: the first time I ever truly enjoyed orchestral playing when we did Mahler 3 in 2015; the amazing trip to Oslo I was part of when we visited Barratt Due in 2017; and all of the wonderful friends I made in school and who I watch doing amazing things now.

To me, Chetham’s really is a special place to be and I am so happy to be back here, giving back to a place which gave so much to me.

Since leaving Chetham’s… 

I left Chetham’s in 2017 and went on to study a music degree at the University of Manchester. When I started my course, I wasn’t quite sure what I was destined for – when it had come to applying for universities, I only chose to study music because I didn’t think I was very good at anything else! I just knew I didn’t want to be a performer, so studying at Manchester suited me perfectly, as it allowed me to continue to live amongst musicians and within a strong performance culture without spending my life in a practice room. Quite quickly though, I found a passion for arts administration through my time spent as a Concert Manager in the Manchester University Music Society. Becoming Head Concert Manager of the society in my final year, I found myself enjoying this aspect of music more than anything before and set my sights on what I was going to do next.

Determined that orchestral management was what I wanted to do with my future, I applied to study a master’s in Arts Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Of course, doing this course amid Covid-19 lockdowns was never going to be easy, but I spent the year remotely studying very practically-focused modules with fascinating guest lecturers, and was lucky enough to complete my professional placement in person with the orchestra of Welsh National Opera.

As I started applying for jobs, I became painfully aware of how competitive the job market had become, especially in the arts industry. Then one day, I came across a job advert from the development department at Chetham’s; I had studied fundraising as part of my master’s and had enjoyed the module and I loved the idea of returning to my old school, so I applied. A few months later and here I am, back in school again and almost feeling like I never left!

My work at Chetham’s…

As I write this in February 2022, I am still in the early stages of planning our alumni engagement strategy. With alumni engagement being a fairly new area of focus for Chetham’s, there’s a lot of planning to do and a lot of things to consider, but I am really looking forward to getting everything up and running soon. I work between the development team and the marketing team, so my role can be quite varied which makes it all the more exciting.

I am also working part-time as a member of the House Assistant team, working across both Victoria House and Millgate House (formerly Boys’ House). While it’s taken a little while to get used to being on the other side of things, I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of school life again and am very much looking forward to reconnecting with our alumni!

What does Chetham’s mean to you?

Chetham’s provided me with the opportunity to develop musical skills at a pace and level I could not have otherwise experienced. It was a very brave, bold and ultimately hugely successful move on the part of the Trustees with whom I am proud to be associated. I received funding to study at Chet’s and wouldn’t have been able to take up my place without it. Ultimately, I doubt whether I could have had the career I am still enjoying without the role Chet’s played in my early years.

What was the best thing about your time at Chetham’s?

I was admitted chiefly as a violinist. I was secretly harbouring the idea of becoming an organist and when it was agreed I could take lessons I was very happy indeed. Learning music history, harmony and counterpoint and keyboard skills from John Leach and Robert McFarlane were such valuable hours of education. Also conducting the school Chamber Choir when I was 14 was such fun and unexpected experience which made me realise how much I wanted to conduct.

What advice would you give your past self?

I have always been very self critical. Whilst this is important to improve and develop, I wish I could have balanced it better as, oddly though it may sound, I lose confidence in my own abilities in certain situations. I cope with it but am aware of it.

What are you doing now?

I was always happy playing piano, organ, violin and being allowed to learn conducting when at school: nothing has really changed except I wouldn’t play the violin in public anymore! I am a freelance conductor and organist and occasionally accompany others on the piano. I have been fortunate to have been Organist and Director of Music at Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals as well as a Fellow and Organist of St John’s College, Cambridge. I was Chief Conductor of The BBC Singers for 10 years. I’m currently Musical Director of The Bach Choir where I succeeded Sir David Willcocks in 1998. I’m Associate Guest Conductor of The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Professor and Principal Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum, Musical Director of The Leeds Philharmonic. Teaching posts in addition to Yale are at the Royal Academy of Music and as International Chair of Choral Conducting at The Royal Northern College of Music.

Ben just returned to Chetham’s to give a series of masterclasses to our Brass students. While he was back, we asked him to share some thoughts and memories from his own time as a student with us.

What does Chetham’s mean to you?

I’ve got no doubt that Chet’s is the reason that I’m where I am today (and still enjoying it!). Chetham’s provided a rounded education within a supportive environment that allowed me to try new things and take risks. The instrumental tuition was world-class and when you couple this with the variety of other opportunities and experiences, it’s hard to imagine that this could have been experienced anywhere else.

What was the best thing about your time at Chetham’s? Do you have any favourite memories?

The immersive environment that surrounds you with peers and members of staff who all have the same passion for music has to be the single best thing that Chet’s has to offer.

Two trips to Giardini La Mortella in Ischia have to be up there with my favourite memories, but really there are too many to mention!

What are you doing now?

After leaving Chet’s, I went to study at the Royal Academy of Music and I’m now happily back in Manchester as Section Principal Horn of the BBC Philharmonic.

What advice would you give to your past self?

To all current students at Chetham’s – make the most of the abundance of the practice rooms, ensemble rooms and fantastic accompanists before you leave!

What impact did Chet’s have on your life?

Chetham’s allowed me to develop in my own time to prepare me for a career in music, but I also met some amazing people and made friends for life. I’ll always be grateful!

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What was the best thing about your time at Chethams?

I just loved being immersed in music everyday and I always looked forward to Music Courses. I still can’t believe the range of repertoire we got to perform at school. My favourites were Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances which I played in my last CSO concert and for chamber music, Barber’s Summer Music for wind quintet.

I didn’t speak much English at all when I first arrived so I’ll forever be grateful to my oboe teacher, Val Taylor, my friends and the staff for being so patient and supportive.

Do you have any favourite memories?

As a member of a wind quintet, I got to visit so many interesting places all over the country and abroad. I was one of the first Chets pupils to visit Norway. I stayed with the loveliest host family in Tromsø. One night as I was just about to get in bed, the father came running up to the attic room I was staying in, telling me to come downstairs as quickly as I can. I didn’t know what was going on but his wife was waiting with my snow jacket by the front door and led me outside to show me the northern lights! They disappeared after about a minute but I will never forget that.

What impact did Chetham’s have on your life?

If I hadn’t moved from the other side of the world (Japan) to come to Chets, I don’t know what my life would have been like. I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people and to have been given the opportunity to challenge myself as an oboist from an early age. I consider the UK as my home but I probably wouldn’t feel that way now if it hadn’t been for the warm welcome I received at Chets!

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We are thrilled to be inviting Alexandra back to Chetham’s again to take part in the Manchester Guitar Festival hosted by The Stoller Hall.

The Manchester Guitar Festival is taking place on 20-22 May, celebrating the finest guitar talent with three jam-packed days of concerts, talks, workshops and pop-up performances; encompassing everything from flamenco and acoustic to electric, jazz and blues, and even a few ukuleles! More info and tickets on sale via The Stoller Hall website.

Alexandra will be performing and giving a talk about classical guitar repertoire. To celebrate, we asked Alexandra to share some thoughts and memories about her time as a student at Chetham’s.

What does Chetham’s mean to you?

I owe so much to my time at Chetham’s. I have really fond memories of my seven years there and, although sometimes it could be tough, I believe that it really taught me how to work hard. When your peers are achieving great things and are so talented at what they do it also really inspires you to do your best.

What was the best thing about your time at Chetham’s?

One of the things I liked most about being at Chetham’s was the fact that I was surrounded by people who shared similar interests to me. I no longer felt like I was the ‘odd one out’ because I played a classical instrument and liked that kind of music. I’d also not spent time with other people who played the classical guitar before, so to have three other people in my year all learning the same instrument was really fun. Some of the best times I had there were the external guitar department concerts – the whole department got on so well which made them so much fun!

What are you doing now?

Last year I graduated from my Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music (where I also spent four years as an undergraduate) and now enjoy playing concerts and giving classes around the world. I also enjoy creating YouTube videos for my online audience which aim to give an insight into the life of a classical musician.

What advice would you give your past self?

This is definitely something I’ve thought a lot about before and (as cliche as it may be!) I think I’d say not to care as much about what others think. Whether that be of your playing, your taste in music or your artistic direction. It took me a while to realise that there isn’t a set mould for all classical musicians graduating college, and when this dawned on me I began to feel a lot more free. We’re beginning to see this corner of the music industry open up so much more and become more accessible; I’d love to see myself as a part of that.

Tell us about an achievement you’re most proud of since leaving Chetham’s

I released my debut album on Delphian Records in May 2021. All of the planning and preparation was done during the first lockdown and we managed to record in October 2020. I’m really proud of this album as a lot of the music on there inspired me to pick up the guitar when I was younger, so to be able to record it later down the line felt really heart-warming. I also love the fact that it showcases incredibly popular pieces alongside some that people may never have heard before. I got to discover some real gems from lesser-known composers and now enjoy programming them in concerts.

What impact did Chetham’s have on your life?

There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Chetham’s. I learned so many valuable lessons and feel like my time at the school helped shape me as both a person and a musician.

Without the bursary funding I received I would’ve been unable to attend Chetham’s, so I’ve always been incredibly grateful that this funding gave me that opportunity.

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Learn more about the Manchester Guitar Festival