Talented trio score top marks in national music exams

A TRIO of talented Ripon Grammar School musicians have achieved exceptional marks in national music exams at the highest grade.

Xander Galloway-Gee, 13, and 18-year-olds Jamie Tabor and Llew Blezard-Grenwell all scored distinctions in their Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music grade 8 exams, which are equivalent to an A-level.

In addition, a further sixteen dedicated RGS students showcased their skills by gaining distinctions, merits and passes in their grades 2 to 7 exams.

At just 13, Ripon Cathedral chorister Xander was one of the youngest candidates taking grade 8 and among the top 20% of candidates to achieve a coveted distinction.

For Jamie and Llew, both 18, who achieved distinctions in singing and organ respectively, this is the second grade 8 they have gained, having both achieved grade 8 in piano previously.

RGS director of music Michael Barker said such an excellent set of results reflected the dedication, passion and musicianship of the students.

“To have three students achieving grade 8 in one session is quite something, but to have all three students achieve distinctions - the highest possible result for grade 8 and no mean feat to achieve – is amazing.

“We are very proud of all of our music students, and they should be very proud of this superb set of results.”

Now working towards his diploma, alongside his grade 6 in piano, Xander hopes to study music at a conservatoire after RGS.

The teenager, from Ripon, started singing when he was six years old and joined the Ripon Cathedral choir after being inspired by RGS student choristers.

“One of the highlights of my musical career was playing Tobias in the Sweeney Todd musical at school last year.”

Xander’s Mothering Sunday solo of Hear My Prayer by Mendelssohn is due to be included on a Ripon Cathedral CD this summer.

Jamie, from Ripon, began singing in Year 5 when he joined Ripon Cathedral choir: “This was my first major singing experience, a worthwhile and thoroughly enriching time.”

He has enjoyed lead roles with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with Ripon Youth Theatre and Sweeney Todd with school in the last year.

A member of National Youth Choir, he has performed in concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Ely Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Wakefield Cathedral and the Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham.

Planning to study chemistry at Durham University, he says: “I hope to keep singing at university and beyond, joining any local choirs and theatre groups I can find.”

Llew has been awarded an organ scholarship at St David’s Cathedral in Wales and is also the first sixth form organ scholar at Ripon Cathedral, where he plays at services.

The teenager, from Darlington, hopes to work as a director of cathedral music one day.

Having been a keen piano player from the age of four, Llew first got the chance to play the organ at ten years old after answering a local parish church newspaper advert for an organist apprentice.

Llew, who sings in the RGS chamber and male choirs said: “I have been privileged to play concerts and recitals in some incredible venues such as Lichen Basilica in Poland, Confolens Parish Church in France and also closer to home in places such as Halifax Minster.”

*The ABRSM exams are internationally recognised qualifications that assess a student’s musical progress and understanding. They encourage discipline, goal-setting, and the development of performance skills, making them a valuable part of a musician’s learning journey. By preparing for these exams, students gain confidence, develop perseverance, and deepen their love for music.

Other results include:

Joel Buckley – Grade 7 Baritone – Distinction

Riya Nair – Grace 5 Voice – Distinction

Eva Peel – Grade 5 Piano – Distinction

Sam Clough – Grade 2 Drums – Distinctions

Zara Ali – Grade 7 Oboe – Merit

Alice Beesley – Garde 2 Flute – Merit

Max Jeffrey – Grade 3 Violin – Merit

Eshwar Sureshkumar – Grade 3 Flute – Merit

Zoe Baker – Grade 2 Flute – Merit

Seb Konfortov – Grade 4 Voice - Merit

Emma Caricato - Grade 2 Voice - Merit

Eshwar Sureshkumar – Grade 3 Drums – Merit

Grace Candy – Grade 4 Guitar – pass

Ava Reeves – Grade 7 Voice – TBC