Warminster school, on the 2nd February enjoyed a visit from world renowned choral tenor and composer Bob Chilcott. Having been a composer since 1997, Bob has sung with and conducted the Kings College Cambridge choir and has conducted many children’s choirs with songs of his own composition such as Can You Hear Me? Mr Jonnie Bridges, Director of Music at Warminster School expressed his utmost delight at Bob’s visit who gave a fascinating lecture in the Thomas Arnold Hall on his life’s work. Bob also took time to work with some of the pupils on their composition work as part of the A level and GCSE music syllabus. While the music courses cover aspects of performance which students across the country find suitable to grasp, there has always been a “mythical aura” around composition as it is just “so different” as Mr Bridges explained, so having a successful professional come in to inspire the pupils, was really such a special opportunity.

Mr Bridges said “Many students who pursue music qualifications at GCSE or A Level often don’t go on to perform, but actually go down a more creative route like Bob has. However, what is so tricky about encouraging pupils to pursue competition, is that you “can inspire but can’t force it” which is why Bob’s visit, has been so crucial in helping guide pupils to possible career routes”

Head Boy Ben, in his first year of sixth form, learnt the guitar and started his own composition and song writing work, even performing one of his own pieces at the schools Rock Pop and Jazz night in 2023. While Mr Bridges guessed that only 5% of students outside of the lessons do their own composition work, he hopes that Bob’s visit will have helped break the mindset that, music is only accessible to students who have spent hundreds of pounds on lessons.

Mr Bridges expressed his absolute delight at Bob’s inspirational effect on pupils and sincerely hoped this crucial relationship between classroom and industry would continue, perhaps with Bob conducting some of Warminster’s own choirs, Warminster singers and Cantamus to help inspire and encourage the next generation of composers, conductors, and song writers.