Emily Wilson Clarinettist
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​'I most enjoyed meeting other musicians at different levels, and the ensembles'
Top winds 2024 participant
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'I learnt how to effectively improvise, and make it sound interesting to the audience'
Top winds 2024 participant
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'My child enjoyed the opportunity to play with other musicians, learn new skills and develop technique'
Parent of Top winds 2024 participant
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'A huge thankyou to Emily and Jenna and the pianist for a fantastic concert. To achieve so much in such a short space of time is fantastic...look forward to next year!'
Parent of Top winds 2024 participant
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100% of our 2024 and 2025 students said they would recommend the course to a friend!
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Welcome to Top Winds adult music courses! These courses were set up by Emily Wilson and Jenna Thackray who wanted to use their experience as professional musicians and experienced teachers to inspire collective music making.
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Following the success of our courses for children and young adults we are delighted to announce a new series of courses for adult woodwind players. Our next course is Sunday 1st March at Dunham Massey Village Hall, WA14 4SE. We are accepting applications from anyone who plays the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and recorder.
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This one-day course will give you the opportunity to play with other like-minded enthusiastic musicians in both small and large ensembles. You will have the opportunity to rehearse a solo with our professional pianist and receive feedback and advice in a reassuring and positive environment. We will also be offering a session on tackling nerves and performance anxiety. The course will culminate in an informal concert for friends and family, which will be free to attend.
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This course takes place at Dunham Massey Village Hall, 2 School Lane, Dunham Massey, WA14 4SE. Free parking is available on site. The course will run from 10.45-5.00 with registration from 10.30. Participants will be asked to bring a packed lunch, but refreshments, teas and coffees will be provided.
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The cost of the course is £75. We offer bursaries for anyone struggling to afford costs - please email us to enquire.
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You must have your own instrument. You do not need to have taken Grades, but the ability to read music to Grade 1 level is required. Parts and small ensembles will be matched to your ability. Whether you are a beginner or post Grade 8 level we will tailor things to suit you!
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Spaces for this course are limited, so book soon to avoid disappointment.
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​If you have any questions, please contact us on topwindssummerschool@gmail.com
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Click to visit the Top Winds facebook page
About us
Top Winds founders Emily Wilson and Jenna Thackray met in 2014, whilst studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. In 2016 they co-founded chamber ensemble Salford Keys, and have worked together for many years with the aim of introducing flute and clarinet chamber repertoire to audiences. The duo has performed in numerous concert series across the country with venues including Union Chapel and Kew Gardens in London. They have also performed in residency at Royal Manchester Eye Hospital and curated a woodwind classical concert for children. Emily and Jenna have taught alongside each other at Opera North In-Harmony and Sheffield Music Academy, and formed Top Winds summer school with the aim of bringing young musicians together to make friends through making music, as they did.
Jenna Thackray - Flute Tutor
Jenna Thackray studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, supported by a John Fewkes Instrumental Scholarship, graduating with honours in 2016. Jenna has been fortunate enough to enjoy a varied career as a professional performer in orchestras, shows and sessions, and as a solo and chamber musician. She has performed with Hallé Orchestra, Opera North Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and English Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside her freelance career, Jenna has ten years’ experience as a woodwind teacher and has held tutor posts at Opera North, Birkenhead School and the Flute School (North Wales). She is also a deputy teacher for Junior Royal Northern College of Music, Liverpool Philharmonic and Sheffield Music Academy. Jenna enjoys teaching privately and has launched a concert series in Manchester for students to perform together in ensemble and solo.
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Emily Wilson - Clarinet tutor
Emily graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music Masters programme with Distinction in 2016, under the tutelage of John Bradbury and Lynsey Marsh. Whilst at the RNCM Emily won the Gilbert-Fell prize for contemporary solo performance, a Music at Beaulieu Award and Third Prize in the Virovitica International Clarinet Competition.
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Emily enjoys a huge variety of freelance work. Recent solo engagements include the Copland Clarinet Concerto in Huddersfield Town Hall with Slaithwaite Philharmonic, Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 with Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra, and the world premiere of Andy Fisher's Bass Clarinet Concerto with Southampton Sinfonietta and Chloé Van Soeterstède. As an orchestral musician, Emily does extras work across the UK for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, the Hallé Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Emily teaches clarinet at the Manchester Grammar School, Sheffield University and Sheffield Music Academy, where she also conducts the concert band.
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