2020 has been quite a year. For many of us working in the arts, our lives have changed beyond recognition. Covid-19 continues to spread throughout the world and we have all had to find ways to cope with its devastation.

Returning to ‘normal’ no longer seems to be an option and the ‘new normal’ hasn’t quite materialised yet but we probably have a rough idea how things will turn out. More hand washing, sanitising and social distancing and less travel, concerts and sporting events for us to attend.
In common with many of my professional colleagues, many of the orchestras and ensembles I am associated with are no longer giving performances. When these performances do take place they have much reduced personnel to make them commercially viable.

But amongst this gloom there is some positive news as I now have a wonderful opportunity to focus on my teaching life and to work in a vibrant community that will be stimulating and challenging.
On August 14th I move to Thailand to take up the position as Head of Woodwind and Brass at Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok, one of Asia’s top schools.

Music is a flagship for Shrewsbury International School and the music department is renowned for staging high quality concerts and recitals. The school has an international roster of specialist music teachers with many students progressing to the finest music conservatoires and universities, often pursuing a professional career.

Chris Seal, the Principal of the school, has been a top cricketer and is well versed in the complexities of the music scene as his brother, Michael, is a professional conductor, currently Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

The Music School enjoys a beautiful space overlooking the river. It is progressive in design with teaching rooms, multiple practice rooms, a dedicated (Mac) computer suite and specialised rehearsal space, centred around an outstanding Recital Hall with Concert Grand Piano. Major performances are staged in the 600 seat Memorial Hall Auditorium, complete with with its own Steinway Grand Piano.

All students from EY1 to Y9 enjoy music lessons as part of their timetabled curriculum learning, with a number of students going on to study the subject at GCSE and A-Level.
Year 5/6 classes also have one lesson of brass/woodwind tuition, where they are given access to an array of instrument resources, bought especially for this purpose and which has led to many students choosing to pursue the study of these instruments individually as part of the school’s co-curricular programme.

I’m also looking forward to working with Rowena Calvert, a superb London-based cellist, who joins the school as Head of Strings. Rowena and I have often shared the concert stage as performers so it will be a delight to collaborate with her on a variety of projects at Shrewsbury International School.

All the best for your new venture Paul. I hope we’ll meet again from time to time.
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Thanks Liz. I’m sure I’ll be introducing the students to some of your super pieces over the next few years! Hopefully, see you in Dartington next year, if not before….. 😊
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Wow Paul !!!
Wish you all the best that can happen in your new responsibility. Thank goodness for access to technology to help us keep in touch mate!
Cheers
Malc
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Thanks Malcom! It’s a really great opportunity so I’m looking forward to working in such a great educational environment. I’ll miss all the Regent Brass activities and of course the events at Regent Hall but, as you say, we have the technology nowadays to stay connected. I’ll keep you posted…. 😊
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Really good luck Paul – I know you will make a great success of it – your new
principles brother was my Youth Orchestra desk partner and I can vouch for the excellent family of Seals ! Stay in touch Paul – i am going to keep going to China in our new partnership and much moving ahead and would loe o do some great work with you too Every best and take there Andrew
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Thanks Andrew. I’m really looking forward to working at the school. It’s a wonderful environment and has a great music department and, of course, Thailand is such a beautiful country with great cultural traditions. Let’s stay in touch and all the best with your China partnerships. Let’s see what we can develop together in the future. 😊
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Congratulations Paul.
This looks like a terrifically exciting opportunity and I am sure that you will make a fantastic success of it.
The School, staff and students are extremely lucky to have such a high class performer and educator joining their community and I’m sure that you will be an inspirational and dedicated leader within the School.
Its possible I’ll be visiting Bangkok on a RNCM Asia recruitment trip early next year and it would be great to see you then. I’d be very happy top talk to your students about studying at RNCM too if that sounds interesting.
Best wishes for a long and happy future there.
Nick
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Hi Nick
Thanks so much for your kind message. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. It’s such a fabulous school and has a really thriving music department. Many of the students play musical instruments and the concerts are always high profile events. Let me know when you’re coming to Thailand. I’m sure we can arrange something for you. Good luck for next year at RNCM and we’ll stay in touch… 😊
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