Music
“Our Music School is a place where children across our family of schools can be inspired to achieve their very best. Fairfield Preparatory School benefits from a purpose-built, state-of-the-art music faculty.
Our dual focus of excellence and inclusivity shine through in everything that we offer. We are delighted to announce that our Music School has partnered with Coach House Pianos, the UK’s largest independent piano supplier, to equip our purpose-built Music School with a range of incredible new pianos. This gives our pupils the exceptional opportunity to play the finest pianos whether as a top-level pianist or a beginner in Reception. Our two top-of-the-range recording studios have put the study of Music Technology firmly on the map as an open access co-curricular or enrichment option, a GCSE and A Level option and also an option for individual music lessons all taught by our specialist staff. Our varied and diverse curriculum is underpinned by a huge variety of instrumental ensembles and choirs. There are opportunities for all our pupils to perform, both within the schools and further afield. Individual music lessons are a real strength here, with a large team of specialists supporting and encouraging those who wish to learn any instrument, to sing, or to perform via Music Technology.
I hope that this gives you a flavour of what makes the music department so exceptional. This is a place not only where individual achievements are recognised and nurtured, but where any pupil who wants to be involved will find a place for them, with a warm welcome!”
– Director of Music, Nicky Bouckley
Need Help?
If you have any questions, our Admissions Team will be delighted to assist. Please call us on 01509 283808 or email fairfield.admissions@lsf.org.
Our music curriculum, inspired by the renowned Kodály Approach, is designed to ensure that every child, regardless of age or ability, experiences the joy of music and develops core musical skills. Pupils across Fairfield enjoy highly practical, fun and inclusive lessons that nurture creativity, confidence and a lifelong love of music. Singing games, percussion, composition and ensemble all work to support our strong focus on musical literacy, opening up a world of musical opportunity and expression.
In Year 1, every child begins their instrumental journey through the exciting Ocarina Warrior program, followed by Recorder Karate in Year 3. Both are engaging, level-based schemes that use certificates, stickers, and ribbons to motivate and celebrate progress. We also explore music from around the world and through history.
We recognise the importance of developing creativity and technological confidence in the digital age, which is why pupils benefit from state-of-the-art music technology facilities where they can compose their own electronic music and pop songs.
As part of our commitment to giving every child a rich and varied musical education, all pupils take part in two dedicated instrumental schemes.
In Year 2, children take part in our highly successful Year 2 Strings Scheme, taught via Colourstrings methodology. Pupils choose from the violin, cello, or double bass for an inspiring first step into the world of string playing that helps lay the foundations for the symphony orchestra of the future.
In Year 4, pupils take part in our Wind, Brass, and Percussion Scheme, where they try two different instruments over two terms, such as trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, or percussion, before choosing a favourite to continue with in the summer term.
These programmes not only develop fine motor skills and musicianship but also build confidence in performing. Many pupils are inspired to continue their musical journey with individual lessons taught by our outstanding team of specialist teachers, top professionals with years of experience performing and teaching at the highest level.
Music thrives beyond the classroom at Fairfield, with nearly two-thirds of pupils receiving individual lessons from our exceptional team of specialist teachers.
We are proud to offer age- and ability-appropriate ensembles for every child learning an orchestral instrument, ensuring they can develop their skills and enjoy making music together in a supportive setting.
Our choirs, open to all from Year 1 upwards, are vibrant and well attended, reflecting the enthusiasm of our pupils. There are regular opportunities to perform, including our weekly Soundbites concerts for soloists every Friday lunchtime, as well as larger ensemble performances in assemblies, the annual Prep Gala Concert, and our much-loved Al Fresco summer event.
Pupils are also encouraged to take part in the prestigious Loughborough Schools Music Competitions each February, where they perform for top-level adjudicators in a friendly and inspiring environment. .
“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
— Confucius
As an independent school, we are committed to providing a well-rounded education that includes a strong emphasis on music. Our experienced teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive curriculum make us the ideal choice for families seeking a nurturing and inspiring environment for their children to grow and thrive.
As part of a family of schools, Fairfield Prep pupils have numerous opportunities throughout the year to perform at cross campus events.
Our Leadership
Meet Our Music Team
Nicky Bouckley
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Originally from the West Midlands, Nicky enjoyed a busy and successful life as a young musician, playing in renowned ensembles such as the Midland Youth Orchestra.
In her three years at Durham University reading music, she directed her college choir of St Hild and St Bede, was a founder member of James Lancelot’s Cathedral Consort and performed as a soloist with the University Symphony Orchestra in Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto. She then undertook a PGCE course allied to Durham School and subsequently entered the teaching profession.
Her early teaching career was spent at Solihull School, working both as an instrumental and academic classroom teacher. She also coached the choristers of Birmingham Cathedral and began working as an examiner for AQA. Over the years she examined and moderated in several different areas, but most enjoyably spent 10 years marking A Level Performance. She subsequently worked in various more senior areas for AQA including specification development, paper writing and latterly as Principal Examiner for AS Music.
In 2010 Nicky moved to the Loughborough Schools Foundation where she took up the role of Deputy Director of Music. In 2016 she added Head of Academic Music to her profile and in 2020 was appointed Foundation Director of Music. This all-encompassing role oversees four schools, with a pupil age-range from nursery to A-level and musicians from EYFS to those successfully applying for places at conservatoire and top universities.
As a regular performer, she is a key member of the award-winning Leicestershire Chorale, who have recently worked with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble and next year will perform with Fretwork.
She lives in Leicester with her partner Tom and stepson George, and very much enjoys time spent in their holiday home on the Northumberland Coast.
David Morris
HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS AND HEAD OF FACULTY – SINGERS AND CHOIRS
David started singing when he was very young. His first lesson was when he was six, with Zuilmah Hopkins, who remained his teacher for twelve years until he was awarded a scholarship to continue his studies at The Royal Academy of Music with John Kitchiner.
After leaving The Academy David joined the Swingle Singers, an acapella octet, with whom he was lucky enough to travel all over the world, working with many musical greats, including Monserrat Caballe, Pierre Boullez, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
David then joined the English National Opera Chorus where he performed in over one thousand operas and understudied the roles of Monostatos (Magic Flute), The Song Vendor (Il Tabarro), Boyar in Attendance (Boris Godinov) and Borsa (Rigoletto).
He is now a regular soloist for the Bardi Wind Orchestra, performing in many of their charity summer concerts.
Charles Price
HEAD OF ACADEMIC MUSIC
Charles was appointed Head of Academic Music at Loughborough Schools Music in 2021. He has helped grow numbers of pupils choosing Music across the schools, overseen the introduction of a Music Technology pathway at GCSE, and encouraged many pupils to study music at university and conservatoire. He can often be found demonstrating how easy it is to write a great song; explaining the importance of a fantastic melody and encouraging everyone to sing! He is always exploring new ways of improving pupils’ improvisatory skills and looks to share his love for jazz and groove music at every opportunity.
Charles has worked with music education projects including the National Children’s Orchestras, the Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, Sistema Europe, and the Ingenium Academy, where he was the school’s Head of Pastoral Care for three years. He co-founded the record label and live jazz promotion company Jazz Plus Productions in 2015 in order to help showcase young jazz musicians to audiences around the UK. The company has partnered with the EFG London Jazz Festival and Love Supreme Jazz Festival in their programming and promotion and has several digital releases including the contemporary Big Band album from Jazz Plus Ensemble.
Charles received his formative musical education at Kingswood School, Bath, where he was a Music and Drama scholar. It was here that he discovered the thrill of ensemble playing. He then read Music at Durham University and Universität Bern, Switzerland. He played trumpet with brass ensembles, orchestras, and Big Bands, playing in venues including Durham Cathedral, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Manchester Jazz Festival, Casino Bern and small alpine villages. Despite his time in Switzerland, Charles cannot yodel nor play the Alphorn.
A keen singer, Charles often stands in front of one of the foundation’s senior schools, doing hymn practice, and ensuring that everyone starts their day with a smile on their face, either through the joy of singing or laughing at him! He was particularly proud when his hymn practices were ‘universally approved’ in a staff and pupil survey.
Outside of teaching, Charles is an Army Reserve musician and has performed at key military and diplomatic events around the world, including the unique Ceremony of the Keys in Gibraltar. He furthers his creativity through sketching and cooking, and tries to support the England cricket team, hike up mountains and go to Evensong (but not all at the same time).
Andrew Groom
HEAD OF PREP MUSIC
Andrew Groom, born in Sheffield, has had a lifelong passion for music. Starting with the recorder, he soon moved on to the trombone and piano. He studied Music Performance at the Royal College of Music, focusing on trombone and piano, and went on to complete a Master’s in Music Performance at the Hochschule der Künste Bern.
Andrew has played trombone professionally with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras. Later, he transitioned to teaching, working at Wells Cathedral School and Bedford School. He served as the Head of Prep Music at Kimbolton School before taking on the same role at Loughborough Schools Foundation.
In addition to teaching, Andrew is a published arranger and has composed six full-length children’s musicals, all performed at the schools where he has worked.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys being with his young family, running, and playing piano at his local church.
Melanie Reinhard
HEAD OF FACULTY – KEYBOARD AND CHAMBER MUSIC
Melanie Reinhard is a Canadian pianist, who has many prizes and awards to her credit. Having performed extensively on both sides of the Atlantic, she has been recognised as a versatile and artistic musician who is sought after by noted instrumentalists and singers.
Melanie received her ARCT (Performance) and LPRCM (Concert Diploma) from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, studying with James Anagnoson and Leon Fleisher. Having lived and worked in Germany and Switzerland for a decade, performing in many places including Frankfurt, Munich, Konstanz, Zürich and the Gewandhaus Leipzig, Melanie moved to the UK in 2004. As the pianist of the OPUS 3 piano trio with violinist Christopher White and cellist, Jonas Seeberg, she has performed in venues such as St. James’ Picadilly, Charterhouse, St. George in the East and for the Beethoven Society of Europe to critical acclaim.
A passionate performer and teacher, Melanie has held the post as Head of Keyboard and Chamber Music at Loughborough Schools Foundation since 2011, being instrumental in the Music department becoming an All Steinway School in 2015 and is also a founding member of the Great Bowden Music Fest.
The release of the ten Beethoven Violin Sonatas with Christopher White by Willowhayne Records in July 2022, will be followed by a recording of the Strauss and Respighi Violin Sonatas.
Kate Burns
HEAD OF FACULTY – STRINGS AND ORCHESTRAS
Kate Burns is Head of Strings and Orchestras at Loughborough Schools Foundation. She studied violin with James Coles at Birmingham Conservatoire, has freelanced orchestrally and performs with several groups including string quartet Quattro Parlando. She trained in the Colourstrings/Kodaly approach and teaches KS1 classroom music and heads up the schools’ Y2 string programme going on to follow students through to Y13 as orchestral musicians. She firmly believes in the Kodaly quote “the musical education of the child begins 9 months before the birth of the parent” and has set up parents’ classes and pre-school parent and tot classes at LSF.
Highlights in recent years have been conducting the schools’ Symphony Orchestra and their all age, multilevel string orchestra in performances of Vaughan Williams’ Concerto Grosso in the Music for Youth Schools Proms in Symphony Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. She has been involved in music for worship at several churches over the years.
Aidan Geary
HEAD OF FACULTY – WIND, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND BANDS
Aidan Geary began playing percussion in his home town in Cornwall. Upon graduation from the London College of Music in 1997 as recipient of the Simpson Percussion Prize, Aidan began a career in music both as a performer and a teacher.
Aidan’s wide playing career has ranged from the Black Dyke Mills Band to English Northern Ballet Theatre; The Brighouse & Rastrick Band to English Pro Musica as well as numerous shows in London and national tours. As a teacher, Aidan has always been in demand, and since 2005 has worked at the Loughborough Schools Foundation where he is currently Head of Wind, Brass, Percussion and Bands.
In 2003, Aidan began examining for London College of Music Examinations and has been lead compiler of drum kit and percussion syllabus for over 10 years. Additionally, he has an extensive range of tuition books and ensemble pieces, all published by Southern Percussion.
In 2020, Aidan was made a Fellow of the London College of Music in recognition of his Professional Achievement. He also holds an Associate Fellowship of the National College of Music and is a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers.
Eloise Hipwell
MUSIC MANAGER
Following many years working as an international event manager I joined the Foundation in 2009. My first role was in the Development Office and I spent three years increasing the network of alumni through organising and attending many regional and local events.
I moved to the Music Department in 2012 and I really enjoy working in a cross-foundation department having day to day contact with pupils, parents and staff. I am lucky to have a lovely musical backdrop to my working day.
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