Ella performs as Soprano Soloist and explains how her love for music was nurtured at LHS
Ella McNamee (LHS 2015) recently performed as the Soprano Soloist with the Newtown Linford Choral Society at their 25th Anniversary concert entitled ‘Winter’. She attributes her musical success with her time spent at school, mostly in the music department.
She says: ‘I’ve performed with Newtown Linford Choral Society several times over the past few years and it’s always the highlight of my year. It was wonderful to perform John Rutter’s Requiem as it’s such a beautiful piece. It was a pleasure, as always, to perform with the musicians who were playing in the concert, but even better was singing with the Newtown Linford Choral Society, many of whom I’ve known for my whole life – it was the choir’s 25th anniversary concert, and I’m 26!’
She adds: ‘In November 2019 I was extremely lucky to perform as a soloist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus: first in Monte-Carlo with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, and then again with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. Both performances were under the direction of Kazuki Yamada. It was only a short solo as ‘The Youth’ in Mendelssohn’s Elijah but it was a true highlight for me after studying singing for many years. I felt like the opportunity to perform this solo in two highly-regarded concerts was a culmination of all the hard work I’d put into singing and it was hugely rewarding.
Ella thoroughly enjoyed her time at LHS and being in the music department was always her favourite place to be. She says: ‘I definitely spent more time there than anywhere else at school. I would spend my lunch breaks and after school at musical ensembles and my free periods practising flute and singing. My favourite subject was always Music.
"'At the music department, I could completely be myself and was surrounded by some of the best friends I could ask for - I felt like I was in my element.’"
Ella is grateful for the incredible facilities that she was able to make use of and the commitment to music that the Loughborough Schools Foundation has. Her parents would attend all the Spring Concerts, Jazz Nights, Al Fresco Concerts and Lunchtime Recitals to watch both her and her brother perform.
Ella explains that it wasn’t always about singing, but she started her musical life as a flautist, with her teacher at LHS being Jo Kirkwood (Preston). She says: ‘I played in many music ensembles on the flute and also sung in many of the choirs. In year 12, I decided I wanted to take up singing lessons, so I started with Jenny Saunders as my teacher. I then achieved a choral scholarship with Leicestershire Chorale thanks to Nicky Bouckley bringing the choir to my attention, and this is what started my love for choral singing.’
At university, Ella originally applied to attend as a flautist, but by the end of year 13 she decided she wanted to study as a singer instead. She studied BMus Music at the University of Birmingham from 2015-2018, where she was Principle Flautist of the University Symphony Orchestra and also sung in the Birmingham University Singers, the university’s auditioned chamber choir. Ella also joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus (CBSO Chorus) and as a result of her time in Birmingham she performed at the BBC Proms 7 times and on tours in Germany, Italy, and Monaco.
After graduating from university, Ella wanted to pursue a career as a professional singer, singing professionally with the Birmingham Cathedral Choir from December 2018 – July 2019 and also performing as a soloist with Milton Keynes Chorale and the Newtown Linford Choral Society several times over the years following.
She auditioned for several choral schemes which were run by professional chamber choirs (such as the Voces8 Scholars and Genesis Sixteen) but wasn’t successful.
Ella worked for two years managing the operational side of the Children & Youth Choruses for the CBSO from 2019-2021 before commencing an MSc in Human Resource Management at Aston University where she gained a place on the HR Graduate Scheme with Nestlé, starting in September 2022.
She is now working in HR at their Halifax Factory where Quality Street, After 8, Munchies, Rolos and Matchmakers are made – quite different from what she originally thought she’d be doing.
Ella concludes: ‘Playing a musical instrument or singing really sets you up for life in terms of meeting people and making friends. When I started university, I knew I would make plenty of friends just through joining musical groups, and I still know I can do that as a grown up! I’m really glad I went to a school with such a strong musical culture.’