Chase students in masterclass with award-winning saxophonist

Three Chase students had the privilege of being invited to take part in a masterclass with Jess Gillam MBE, organised through Youth Choral as part of their Mass In Blue project. Ella Day (Year 8), Isla Mitchell (Year 9) and Hannah Kent (Year 13) joined three other students from Worcestershire schools for this experience, held at the Royal Porcelain Works in Worcester on 27 April. 

Ella writes: "The Jess Gillam woodwind workshop was a truly amazing experience. Jess is an MBE award-winning saxophonist from the UK. Six students took part in a two-hour long workshop, each individual getting 15 minutes or longer working on a piece of their choice with the musician giving them professional advice and support. In front of a small audience we played our pieces through before she focused on a few particular aspects of our playing style and small sections of the piece to overall improve our playing. She also allowed us to ask any questions before moving on to the next person. She was extremely friendly and supportive, and the atmosphere of the room was very natural with minimal pressure which was very calming and not what I was originally expecting. A few of the pieces of advice she gave me were: Practise dynamics by doing my favourite scale and on each note, crescendo and then diminuendo, which will make me more familiar with the note; To help remove the pressure of practice, do some stretches and breathing beforehand and practise long notes to warm up to the feeling and help decide what and how to practise. 

Overall, I found the workshop a wonderful experience and took on lots of really helpful advice. I would jump at the opportunity to do it again and thank everyone very much for a brilliant time.

Hannah adds: "It was great to meet Jess Gillam and get advice from her: apparently I have "the most expressive elbow in the world"! It was particularly useful to get advice on a piece that she had played, and amazing to finish the workshop by playing a section of it along with her!"

All three students were an absolute credit to The Chase and we wish them well in their future playing. Many thanks to Anne Renshaw and Youth Choral for providing this opportunity.