Emma Bryden

Life before Stowe

After completing my Post Graduate studies at the Royal College of Music, London I spent ten years working as a freelance cellist with orchestras such as the Welsh National Opera Orchestra, British Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan, New London Symphonia Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Wales and Orchestra Europa. I undertook regular session work across the UK and Europe during this time, including performing at the South By South West Festival in Austin Texas and arranging and performing string parts for companies such as Sony BMG. Having worked as a cello tutor for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Junior Conservatoire for over eight years, I returned in a student capacity to undertake a Masters Degree in Historical Performance before completing a PGCE. 

Before being appointed as Head of Academic Music at Stowe I worked as a Director of Music and an Assistant Houseparent at Llandovery College. I then worked as Director of Music, Head of Competitive House and Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Bedstone College in Shropshire.

I am currently undertaking a PhD at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on the subject of "The School Song: Creating identity through shared musical experience in UK independent day and boarding schools" and have recently gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Research Practice with distinction at RBC.

What do you enjoy most about your subject?

Music is such a vibrant, diverse and evolving subject that it is always possible to engage with new ideas or re visit more familiar concepts from a new perspective.

What do you enjoy most about Stowe?

The pupils are eager to learn and explore new concepts and push themselves to excel. The staff are incredibly friendly and supportive and it is an wonderful environment in which to work.

What is your favourite lesson?

I enjoy delivering lessons on set works and aspects of music history. They are often the lessons where you can challenge students perceptions of what music is and who it is for and open up a whole new world of experiences to them.

What do others say about you?

Hopefully nice things!

Other hats at Stowe

I am a Sixth form tutor for Chatham House and also deliver PSHE

Passions

I am passionate about music education and am undertaking a PhD at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire within this field. Outside of music I undertake a lot of fibre crafting, especially knitting. I have recently learned to spin and also to weave and use them for relaxation.