Chets has become justly regarded as the most outstanding and progressive specialist music school in the UK.
Students study with passion, dedication and enthusiasm supported by an inspiring and committed team of teachers and specialists. They follow an individualised programme centred on their primary area of study, in addition to the essential components of a musician's programme which includes aural, theory, history, harmony, composition, choral work and improvisation.
Chets students share one common bond - their desire to explore and expand their innate love of music. Many of our students come to the school driven by their desire to be with like minded young musicians often having experienced a sense of isolation in their locality.
We want students to grow into fine musicians but also become caring, receptive and considerate young adults with the power to enrich other people’s lives through their music making and understanding. To achieve this, we provide students with a comprehensive programme, with much innovative work across all areas of the music department, with exciting challenges and experiences. The quality of the musical education, allied to the academic programme delivered in enviably small class sizes, means that our students are able to develop lifelong skills in music and a great deal of other fields.
The acknowledged success of our students and their contribution to the world of music can be seen on many fronts. Former students hold positions throughout major orchestras, not just in the UK, but across the globe. They are also international soloists and recording artists and conductors, festival directors, teachers and professors of both instrumental and academic music, composers in many genres, music therapists, jazz and rock musicians, arrangers and actors.
Being situated in the heart of Manchester means that we are located in the centre of a progressive city – an ethos that we share - whilst being a centre of excellence both within the UK and in the world of music education.
There is a special atmosphere at Chetham's School of Music one which reflects the warmth, the humanity, the history, the creativity and communicative art of music.
Stephen Threlfall
Director of Music
