Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

Max Cockerill (T)
When I came to Ampleforth in the winter of 2006 to audition
for a music scholarship I did not realise quite what would be in
store over the next five years; hour long music lessons and lots
of ensemble groups became a part of daily life.
Music dominates my time but without it I would have found
Ampleforth a very different place. Immediately my limits were
tested by being asked to play the solo viola part in Variations on
a theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams, a daunting
prospect. While my performance was adequate, more
importantly it was my first step in learning how to perform and
to enjoy doing so.
Lots of performances have followed. Highlights have been the
Mendelssohn Octet and singing on stage in Purcell’s Dido and
Aeneas. In the upper sixth I prepared for my choral scholarship
audition at Trinity College Cambridge. The audition gave me
an intimate day and a half with one of Cambridge’s most
famous choirs. We were expected to pick out individual notes
from a randomly played six note chord (a test I failed!) and then
asked to sing a piece for piano and voice to the Trinity College
choir. My reaction to this terrifying prospect was to start pacing
around in feverish excitement, showing that being a music
scholar at Ampleforth has given me a confidence and passion
for performance.
As a music scholar I find my time split between instrumental
practice and ensemble, a demanding programme but not one
that has prevented me from participating in many other aspects
of school life.
Max Cockerill was awarded a choral scholarship at Trinity.
Philippa La Rosee (B)
I was given an honorary Basil Hume Scholarship for sport,
which I felt very privileged to have been given.
My speciality is cross country, not only have I run for the school
but in the past four years I managed to qualify for the county
team and compete in the English Schools Cross Country
Championships. I also enjoy playing hockey and tennis. I was
given the opportunity to be the 2nd X1 hockey captain, which
I really appreciated and enjoyed especially as there are so many
enthusiastic and keen hockey players at Ampleforth. At the end
of last year I was also appointed as Head of Girls Games, which
involves organising sports events and liaising with the Games
Department. Furthermore, I have greatly enjoyed throwing
myself into many other areas in school life. I am currently
completing my Duke of Edinburgh gold award, I have acted in
two school productions, and I play the piano. I took part in the
Rowathon rowing 50 km for the charity Hope and Homes for
Children with the collective aim of raising £30,000. Being a
Basil Hume Scholar has further encouraged me to do
everything to my full potential and given me the incentive to
participate in a variety of aspects of school life.
35
AMPLEFORTH SCHOLARS