Chloe Eagleson
Beginning secondary school at the Collegiate Grammar School in Enniskillen in 2010 I began taking cornet lessons with Mr Magee. These weekly lessons facilitated my musical progression, building upon fundamental brass playing ideas as well as learning new skills and techniques. I enjoyed every lesson and only wish I had more time within the lessons. Throughout school I slowly progressed through Trinity College London Grade Exams and achieved Grade 8 Cornet with Distinction in June of 2014.
Ensemble playing was a hugely exciting part of brass playing at school. In the Collegiate unfortunately we did not have enough players to make a Brass Band, but we did have both a Junior and Senior Brass Ensemble. This was a chance to explore brass ensemble repertoire and we had performance opportunities during assemblies and events such as prize giving. At school we also had an Orchestra which was formed each year for the Christmas Carol Service. My favourite memory of playing during a Carol Service was playing a Cornet Feature with Choir of ‘Handel’s Messiah’.
Through the Education Authority, I joined the Western Region Senior Youth Orchestra. I enjoyed this opportunity to play trumpet within a large orchestral setting. It was an invaluable opportunity and we got to play a range of repertoire, my most memorable being Rimsky Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’ and Shostakovich ‘Jazz Waltz’. The most challenging aspect of playing was transposition, but it was a great chance to learn a new skill. With the Western Region Senior Youth Orchestra we had vast performance opportunities particularly at Christmas and we went on tour each year in the Summer to Limerick. It was brilliant to be promoted to principal trumpet from 2014-2017.
Through the EA Music Service, I also enjoyed playing in the Fermanagh Schools Intermediate Wind Band and won the prize for ‘Outstanding Commitment’ for three years consecutively; 2013, 2014 and 2015.
When the Collegiate Grammar school amalgamated with Portora Royal to form Enniskillen Royal Grammar School during my final year, brass pupils came together to form a full Brass Band. It was such a great opportunity and a great team of players; it made my Year 14 at school the most enjoyable. The Brass Band won the Brass Band League of Northern Ireland Schools Band competition. I held the principal cornet seat at the time, so it was a brilliant experience.
Outside of school I play with ‘Murley Silver Band’. Murley regularly participate in contests and perform in concerts. My favourite memory with Murley was competing in the European Brass Band Championships in Lille, France in May 2016.
Music was always my favourite subject at school and I decided to study music at University and am now going into my Fourth Year at the ‘Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’ in Cardiff. I really enjoy the course which is led by Dr Robert Childs and my Cornet teacher is Chris Turner. In Cardiff I also play in a brass band called ‘Llwydcoed Brass Band’ where I hold the repiano seat. My time at University has been extremely enjoyable and full of opportunities. I hope to go on to complete a PGCE to become a Music Teacher after College.
