MMus, BA Hons (RWCMD), PgDipPerf (RCM), PCGE (UWIC), PGCert Research Practice (RBC)
Director of Music, Faculty Chair for Arts and Culture
ebryden@stowe.co.uk
Emma has over 12 years’ experience of leading music departments in independent co-educational day and boarding schools across England and Wales.
Emma has over 20 years of experience as a freelance ‘Cellist working with orchestras such as WNO, British Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan and Orchestra Europa.
As a session musician, Emma has written string parts and recorded for Thunder, Tyketto, Public Service Broadcasting and Kitten Pyramid. She has recorded at studios such as Real World Studios, Rockfield Studios and Longwave Studios. Emma is currently undertaking a PhD at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on the topic of “The School Song: Creating identity through shared musical experience in UK independent day and boarding schools.”
BMus Trinity, London, LTCL, FTC
Head of Keyboard
bandrew@stowe.co.uk
Ben is a pianist, composer, graphic designer and app creator. He is passionate about music education. From composing music for film and television, orchestrating pop songs to performing concerti and giving solo recitals, Ben has established himself as a versatile musician across a variety of genres and mediums.
Ben is an author for Hal Leonard and he has written a number of publications which have been published worldwide. His arrangement of ‘Hatikvah’ is currently featured on the ABRSM grade 8 violin and Trinity grade 7 syllabus. He has given numerous performances both in the UK, Eastern Europe and East Asia at venues including St Martin in the Fields in London, The Pump Room in Bath, Óbudai Társaskör, Budapest, and the City Hall in Hong Kong. Ben also has an extensive concerto repertoire and notable performances include Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Rachmaninov’s 2nd and 3rd Piano Concertos. He recently gave a performance of Beethoven’s 4th piano concerto with the Alina orchestra in the Chapel at Stowe.
In addition to his strong interest in classical music, Ben is an experienced pop musician and has supported notable artists such as Tom Walker, the late Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet). Ben’s recent co-write of ‘Not In My Name’, a rock song featuring guitar legend Bernie Marsden received airtime on BBC radio and LBC radio featured a live interview with Ben following its release. Ben is also the artistic creator of ScaleTracks - his own iOS app featuring backing tracks for scales and arpeggios. Designed to make scales and arpeggios a more enjoyable, musical experience, ScaleTracks features over 1,000 backing tracks in many different genres from Dubstep to Baroque. The app has received highly positive reviews in BBC Music Magazine, The Strad and Music Teacher Magazine, among others.
BMus Huddersfield, DipMusCh, FRSA
Choral Director Head of Vocal Studies
jkingston@stowe.co.uk
Jonathan Kingston was an organ student at Liverpool Cathedral before being appointed Sub Organist at Bradford Cathedral. Assistant Director and Director of Music appointments followed at two leading HMC schools, before an appointment to The King’s School, Ely as Director of Music where he also served Ely Cathedral as Deputy Organist and as a Choral Director.
Jonathan is a recording artist for Naxos, Priory and EMI Records and is an ABRSM grade and diploma examiner, trainer, and professional reviewer, touring this country and internationally. He has appeared with many leading orchestras and choirs including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hallé, London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and English Symphony Orchestra and featured in many live broadcasts for BBC radio and television. He is a trustee for the National Musicians’ Church in London and is a Freeman of the City of London. Jonathan directs the Banbury Choral Society and is Director of Music at the Parish Church in Stony Stratford.
Jonathan’s part-time role at Stowe sees him co-ordinate the direction of the choirs, Choral Society and vocal groups while also overseeing the provision of performing opportunities for vocalists in conjunction with the highly dedicated and supportive singing professionals, who form the singing faculty.
Head of Popular Music and Music Technology
bweston@stowe.co.uk
With over 20 years’ experience in recording and music production, Ben has credits with artists such as Gabrielle Aplin, JP Cooper, Dylan and Myles Sanko.
As a performer Ben has appeared at events such as the British Formula One GP, the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, and has shared a stage with Damon Albarn (blur/Gorillaz), Rick Wakeman (Yes) and the late Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake). As an avid guitarist, singer and songwriter, Ben also heads up our School record label, bringing valuable experience to Stoics who choose to go on to follow a career in the music industry.
In 2018, Ben helped to propel Old Stoic ‘Dylan’ onto the world stage – she has recently toured the UK with Bastille and worldwide with Ed Sheeran.
Music Administrator Visiting Music Teacher Coordinator
jhorwood@stowe.co.uk
As the Music Department’s Administrator and Visiting Music Teacher Coordinator, Jane has a wealth of organisational experience from a career spent in logistics, followed by 10 years as a freelance piano teacher and pre-school music leader. Jane manages the scheduling of instrumental lessons, arranges concerts, events and academic trips, as well as supporting the Department in many other ways to deliver on its academic and cocurricular provision. Loving nothing more than listening to Stoics perform in lunchtime concerts, Jane can also be found singing in the alto section of The Stowe Group Choral Society.