200 Out of 200 Marks – Helena Aces Music GCSE A Year Young

Truro School offers pupils the chance to take their music GCSE a year early as part of the Wednesday Co-Curricular Programme.

The Music GCSE is made up of three elements, performing, composing and appraising.

Helena is not only a grade-eight singer but also plays the violin, the trombone and the piano. Speaking about the support that she received throughout the course, Helena said

“My teachers were amazing in supporting and helping me through the GCSE. Mr Palmer with all the help he gave with composition was amazing. The way Mr Thomson taught us for the exam was fantastic; he really helped with exam technique which I can take forward to the rest of my exams.”

Helena joined Truro School as a boarder to develop her singing talent in the school’s Girl Chorister scholarship programme, which is run in partnership with Truro Cathedral.

The girl choristers are part of the Truro Cathedral Choir and commit to a range of rehearsals, concerts, tours and a variety of opportunities that help the students to develop in a supportive environment.

The 18-strong choir have performed at venues across the UK and, in August, launched a CD recorded alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Commenting on this opportunity Helena said

“I was one of the first girl choristers when the choir launched. I was lucky enough to have entered into it in my first year so I’m getting the whole deal. It was perfect timing for me.”

Speaking about Helena’s achievement Truro School’s Director of Music, Martin Palmer, commented on how

 “Helena is also a good all-rounder and has brought much to the music at the school as both a singer and a violinist. Highlights of her time as a Chorister so far have included major solos in a live broadcast by the Cathedral Choir on BBC Radio 3 earlier this year, and in a concert with the City of London Sinfonia. ”

Two other Truro School students taking their GCSE early also achieved high A* grades. James Lansdowne scored 197 out of 200 whilst Lowenna Wearne followed closely behind with 194 out of 200.

Truro School offers a rich wealth of co-curricular bands, choirs and orchestras giving the pupils a chance to partake in a variety of styles and at a variety of levels. Moving forward, the Girl Choristers have an array of exciting opportunities lined up, including an evening concert on BBC Radio 3 in the near future.