Wellington School in Somerset has forged the world’s first official school partnership with premium Austrian piano maker Bösendorfer. The Viennese piano maker, part of the Yamaha group since 2008, is one of the oldest piano manufacturers in existence, and is synonymous with very high premium instruments favoured by artists from every genre and generation, including Andras Schiff, Oscar Peterson, and Tori Amos.
Founded in 1837, Wellington School is a co-educational, day and boarding school set in a small town and surrounded by the beautiful Somerset countryside in the Southwest of England.
School life at Wellington is built on the values of honesty, integrity, kindness, inclusivity, and tolerance. There is a strong academic curriculum, excellent pastoral care, a broad range of co-curricular opportunities and a strong sense of community. The Prep School and Senior School welcome pupils from 3-11 and 11-18.
Wellington has invested in a new fleet of pianos for the music departments of the Prep and Senior schools, including the outstanding Bösendorfer 214 Vienna Concert model. This premium grand piano along with the larger 280 Vienna Concert model has taken the concert world by storm since being introduced in 2017. The selection of the new pianos for the school has taken place over the last 6 months with regular visits by Director of Music, Andrew Trewhella, and Head of instrumental Studies, Tim Waller to Coach House Pianos’ London and Swansea showrooms.
Andrew Trewhella says:
‘We are incredibly excited about the creative potential of our new partnerships with Bösendorfer, Yamaha, and Coach House Pianos and we look forward to their supporting our students every step of the way on their 3-18 musical journey. From inspirational pianos at every age and stage, to access to outstanding artists and enabling of workshops and masterclasses, and with benefits in every area of our music programme – the possibilities are endless! We are hugely proud to have such wonderful, proactive partners as we embark on the next stages of the Wellington Music 3-18 journey.
Wellington Music 3-18 delivers high quality music education across the Prep and Senior schools by operating as a single strategic administrative and performance structure and enabling outstanding specialist teaching and coaching at all ages and stages. Focusing on identifying, nurturing, and developing musical talent and with excellence and diversity as our key goals, we aim to offer an unparalleled creative journey for able young musicians.
David Halford, Education Manager at Coach House Pianos, appointed Bösendorfer dealer and supplier of the new pianos at Wellington adds:
‘This is a very exciting new venture which will result in a range of activities, events and logistical support, all aimed at enhancing the already inspiring music provision at Wellington School. As a result of the new partnership, we have already been able to support Wellington with the free loan of a grand piano for their recent ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ event last summer term.’
