End of Year Newsletter
A Year of Growth
This has been Da Capo’s first full academic year, and it has been an extraordinary one.
Our students have performed in major productions, orchestral concerts, competitions and community events; worked with internationally respected musicians; travelled off-island for national opportunities; and developed through weekly lessons, rehearsals and examinations.
What stands out most is the range of people making music together. Young beginners have taken their first steps through Saturday Strings, developing players have joined the growing JASTO Inters, experienced students have performed alongside professional musicians, and adults have returned to instruments and singing in friendly, supportive ensembles.
Alongside my work at Da Capo, I have continued as Chair of the Jersey Eisteddfod Music Section and have worked for ABRSM as an examiner across all instruments. This has included face-to-face examining abroad and digital Performance Grades submitted from around the world.
Both roles reinforce the importance of giving musicians purposeful opportunities to perform, receive feedback and feel part of a wider musical community.
Thank you to our students for their commitment, to our tutors and visiting musicians for their expertise, and to every family, volunteer, funder and partner who has supported the Academy.
The sections that follow offer only a snapshot of a very busy and joyful year.
Inside this issue
- JASTO and connected orchestra pathways
- Saturday Strings and new young musicians
- Spring Into Conducting
- Student and Eisteddfod success
- Choirs, community and outreach
- Visiting artists, tutors and national opportunities
Ninety-Two Musicians, One Shared Stage
On 4 July 2026, the Jersey Academy Student and Teacher Orchestra returned for a concert themed around travel, landscapes and the Last Night of the Proms. Ninety-two musicians appeared on stage as three orchestras joined forces for an evening full of energy, emotion and celebration.
JASTO brings together advanced student musicians with their tutors, members of the Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Jersey Chamber Orchestra, adult learners and returners, and visiting young professionals.
The main orchestra was joined by JASTO Inters and the Da Capo Orchestra for a rousing Proms finale.
The project was led by Gerben Grooten, who travelled from the Netherlands to conduct a programme inspired by journeys and landscapes.
The scale of the event, and the sight of players of different ages and backgrounds sharing the same stage, made this a defining moment in Da Capo’s year.
“This is what music-making is all about: different generations learning, performing and celebrating together.”Da Capo Academy
A Connected Orchestral Pathway
JASTO Inters
JASTO Inters was created during this academic year to give developing orchestral musicians a clear next step, particularly those working around Grades 3–5.
The ensemble has continued to grow as players have gained confidence, strengthened their listening and learned how to contribute within a full orchestral texture.
Inters and adult players in concert
At the Town Hall, JASTO Inters and the Da Capo Orchestra presented a varied programme featuring first performances alongside contributions from more experienced musicians. Every player helped create a confident, musical and supportive event.
The concert showed the value of connected ensembles: younger players could see the next stage of their journey, adult learners could perform in a welcoming setting, and everyone contributed to a shared musical experience.
- JASTO Inters launched this year
- A bridge towards senior JASTO
- Adult learners performing alongside students
- Parts and support matched to each player
Young Musicians Strike the Right Note
A new pathway beginning with first notes
Saturday Strings began in February 2026 as a free Saturday morning programme for children in Years 4–6.
With instruments provided and no previous musical experience required, participants learned violin, viola or cello through small-group teaching, musicianship activities and ensemble playing from the very beginning.
The first cohort made rapid progress, learning to read notation, produce a clear tone, respond to dynamics, copy rhythms and follow a conductor.
On 18 July, the children gave an end-of-academic-year performance for family and friends, showing how far they had travelled in only a few months.
Saturday Strings will continue into the new academic year. There is still an opportunity for families to register interest in a new September intake.
“What has been most striking is not just the musical progress, but the confidence the children have gained.”Claire Harvey
Developing Musicians and Musical Leaders
A week to remember
In February 2026, our inaugural Spring Into Conducting course, led by Robert Houlihan, brought aspiring and developing conductors to Jersey for an immersive residential week. Participants joined us from across the UK and from as far afield as Hungary and Spain.
The programme moved from baton technique, score preparation and aural development through to chamber ensemble work and a final open rehearsal.
Local professional and community musicians formed the course ensembles, responding generously and musically as participants progressed from piano-based sessions to confidently leading live players.
The focus, courage and musical growth across the week made it clear that this first course should not be the last.
“There was focus. There was courage. There was generosity in the room.”Spring Into Conducting 2026
Achievement, Progress and Performance
- Rose Overland won the Lucienne Sohier Award for Most Promising Performer Under 14.
- Charlotte Willmott was joint winner of the Jagger Trophy for Junior Instrumentalist, alongside Flutasia member Emma Mwanga.
- Sofia Tsang and Charlotte Willmott won the Jersey Academy Award for Junior Instrumental Ensemble/Band.
- Flutasia won the A. H. Langley Trophy.
- Our adult musicians also took part, reflecting Da Capo’s commitment to meaningful performance opportunities at every age and stage.
Flutasia in performance
Flutasia continued to perform at events across the Island during the year, including an appearance as part of Velvet Illusions in 2026.
We were incredibly proud of every student who took part in the 2026 PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year and Junior Musician heats. Prutha Tejpal won the Dorothy Chapman String Heat and became a Young Musician of the Year finalist, while Amalia won the 2026 Junior Musician of the Year String Competition.
Finding a Voice and Taking the Lead
Chant’tie: Government House and beyond
In October 2025, Chant’tie sang at the Governor’s Christmas Reception at Government House, finishing the evening with a festive sing-along. The choir later performed at Jersey Opera House as part of Music in Action’s concert for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, appearing alongside the Jersey Chamber Orchestra.
Autism Jersey
Madeleine’s fundraiser
In December 2025, Madeleine Harvey organised and presented a fundraising concert with her friends. She selected the music, brought performers together, planned rehearsals and confidently introduced the programme.
The event raised £320 for Autism Jersey and showed what young musicians can achieve when they are trusted to take the lead.
Music for Life
A welcoming adult orchestra
The Da Capo Orchestra is open to musicians at every level – from complete beginners and rusty returners to experienced players who enjoy making music in a relaxed, social setting.
There are no auditions or minimum standard, and parts can be adapted to suit individual players.
Sharing live music
Adult learners performed at Les Charrières Care Home, where residents sang along and enjoyed a thoughtful afternoon of live music.
A first performance for Da Capo Singers
After only a few weeks together, the Da Capo Singers gave their first public performance alongside nine established island choirs – a confident start for a welcoming adult ensemble with no auditions.
Learning from Exceptional Musicians
Professional musicians in the room
Throughout the year, Da Capo students had opportunities to work directly with internationally respected performers and teachers, gaining new perspectives on technique, interpretation, performance and professional musicianship.
Mathilde Milwidsky
Violinist Mathilde Milwidsky worked with Da Capo students in a masterclass exploring technique, interpretation and musical communication.
Harriet Mackenzie
Harriet Mackenzie visited Da Capo for an afternoon of violin masterclasses, sharing insight and practical guidance with students.
Sir Willard White and Anna Tilbrook
Da Capo hosted Sir Willard White and pianist Anna Tilbrook for two days of masterclasses with local singers, including our own vocal students.
Discover the Harp
Professional harpist Jess Hughes offered complimentary individual taster sessions, giving musicians the chance to experience the harp at close quarters.
Growing Our Teaching Team
This year’s appointments have brought new expertise and expanded the range of instruments, styles and specialist teaching available to Da Capo students.
Stephanie Poropat
Stephanie joined us as a specialist voice teacher, music educator and vocal health specialist. Her experience spans school, conservatoire and university settings, from beginners through to advanced performers.
Her qualifications include a Master of Music in Performance, an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Opera Voice from the Royal Northern College of Music, a Master of Teaching in Secondary Music and specialist Kodály training.
Dr Adam Reece
Adam joined the teaching team to offer piano and singing. He holds a PhD in Music and Learning and has extensive experience teaching students of different ages and abilities.
His work includes classical, rock, pop and musical theatre styles, as well as preparation for examinations and performances.
Julie Soudain
Julie expanded our provision to include drum kit, orchestral percussion, trumpet and French horn. A Jersey-born percussion and brass musician, she brings more than 30 years of performance experience.
Julie has performed with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Premier Brass, the Band of the Island of Jersey and La Ronde, and holds the ARSM Teaching Diploma.
A broader musical offer
This year’s appointments have strengthened singing, vocal health, piano, brass, percussion and exam preparation – while adding new pathways for students with different interests and ambitions.
Opportunities Beyond the Weekly Lesson
National Children’s Orchestra – March 2026
In March 2026, a team of Da Capo students travelled to Dorchester to take part in the National Children’s Orchestra’s new programme.
The experience brought together young musicians from across the country through open-access orchestral activity and national-level ensemble learning.
It was a chance to learn alongside new peers and experience the scale and energy of a wider musical community.
Supporting teachers and deeper learning
In April, we welcomed Sam Wyse, ABRSM Business Development Manager for the UK and Ireland, for teacher update and professional development sessions covering qualifications, assessment pathways, syllabuses, resources and current examination practice.
Da Capo’s group theory provision continued to support students from school Years 3–13, building confidence with notation, instrumental learning, composition and tonal examination preparation.
The Orchestra Behind the Show
A Da Capo musical community in the pit
In the final week of July 2026, JYPA presented Les Misérables with a live orchestra performing one of musical theatre’s most demanding scores.
The orchestra was made up mainly of Da Capo teachers and past and present students, bringing together an exceptional cross-section of our musical community.
Experienced professional players worked alongside younger musicians and former students, combining detailed preparation, resilience and teamwork across the performance run. Their contribution gave the cast the energy, colour and dramatic support that only a live orchestra can provide.
The production was a fitting end to the academic year and a powerful example of the pathways Da Capo aims to create: students learning from tutors, growing into ensemble players, and returning to perform alongside the next generation.
Celebrating Our Community
Christmas at Da Capo
Thank you for being part of Da Capo
Our Christmas Fayre filled the Academy with performances, crafts, stalls, festive treats and plenty of Christmas cheer. Young musicians from the orchestra and choir performed throughout the afternoon, while Santa and his elves added to the celebrations.
Thank you to every volunteer, baker, crafter, performer and helper who made the event such a warm celebration of the Da Capo community.
To our students, families, tutors, visiting musicians, partners, funders, volunteers and supporters: thank you for a remarkable year. We look forward to more learning, performances and opportunities in 2026–27.
The year in a few numbers
Thank you for helping us build a musical community where people of every age can learn, perform and belong.