Ashbourne A level Music students won two awards in the ISA Music Composition Competition (2019). Deniz Dortok won second place with Goldmunds Journey and Dominic Tso won third for Homage to Beethoven and Shostakovich, in the sixth form category. The Independent Schools Association (ISA) competition received more than 100 entries from a wide age range of pupils.
The judge was very impressed with Deniz’s piece describing it as “very accomplished writing, with luscious textures and surging climaxes. …the piece speaks to the soul with a yearning and tragic voice of loss.” He also applauded Dominic for his success in showing the surprising similarities in use of harmony and texture by two distinct composers.
Music at Ashbourne
Piers Tattersall, head of Music at Ashbourne, has been composing for many years and his work has been performed widely including by the Britten Sinfonia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Composers’ Ensemble and London Children’s Ballet. As well as teaching A level Music, Piers runs the college chamber choir, supports the House Band and encourages students to set up their own ensembles. He organises a variety of events in which students can perform their work and is instrumental in the production of the annual arts showcase event, the Ashbourne Revue.
Former Ashbourne Music students have gone on to secure places at prestigious institutions including Royal Holloway, Birmingham Conservatoire, Russell Group Universities and the Royal College of Music. Find out what students have to say about studying Music at Ashbourne.