The Amadè Players feel that music is crucial for the development of children and their education. It improves their general abilities in the classroom, and supports specific curriculum-based teaching and helps to build an experienced audience base for the future.

Our educational work takes three paths, and we feel that by continuing this we are able to contribute to the learning, enjoyment and practice of music in schools and colleges. We work hard to make the students who participate feel like part of the ensemble, not merely school children, but rather young musicians.

We run large-scale educational projects with schools in London, collaborating with The Foundling Museum and Goldsmiths, University of London. These projects involve students in every aspect of preparing a performance, support National Curriculum study and promote an interest in historical music. Working with children who have no prior experience of music or performance, we go from the earliest stages of music history, through music technology, lighting and sound design, and finish the project with a live performance of a significant piece of music. Since 2011, we have undertaken the following projects:

October 2011
Purcell Dido and Aeneas (30 students from John Roan School)

March 2012
Handel Messiah (100 students from John Roan School / Kender Primary)

February 2013
Monteverdi L'Orfeo (fully staged, 35 students from around London)

sam hiller
mentored musician scheme

In 2011, we decided to encourage future generations of period performers by bringing them into our band, and getting them playing. Our first recruit was Agnes Chandler, a remarkable young trumpet player from London. Partnered with our principal trumpet Victoria Rule, Agnes's first performance with us was Handel's Foundling Hospital Anthem in February 2011 at the Foundling Museum. Since then, she has also played Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem and played both natural trumpet and cornett in Monteverdi's L'Orfeo. It has been wonderful working with Agnes, and we are pleased to be expanding this year.

We named the scheme in honour of countertenor Sam Hiller, who sang with us from our formation in 2010 until his untimely passing in March 2012.

ed mills
professional practice scheme

Baritone Tim Patrick has been a member of The Amadè Players' Professional Practice Scheme since its foundation in 2012. A graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London, Tim is also a répétiteur and has accompanied both rehearsals and education project work with The Amadè Players.

As part of this scheme, participants are involved in rehearsals, coaching, concerts and help develop school education projects. Members also take part in a professional photo session, and get help with crafting their CV and audition applications.

The scheme is named in honour of Ed Mills, our late Principal Horn.