BMS Pianist Secures Place at Leeds Conservatoire 01 February 2021

Talented Year 13 student, Niall Townley, has been successful in gaining an offer from Leeds Conservatoire to study piano from September. This highly selective course will give Niall the opportunity to study a broad range of disciplines alongside world-class musicians.

Leeds Conservatoire delivers expert music and performing arts education to a community of more than 1200 students. Situated in the heart of Leeds’ cultural quarter, the conservatoire places ‘a strong emphasis on developing career-ready musicians, performers, producers and entrepreneurs.’

During his time at BMS Niall has made a significant contribution to the musical life of the School, performing in a range of ensembles and choirs. He was also a recipient of the David Ball Piano Scholarship, an annual award established in memory of OBM David Ball (1937–45), which has helped contribute to the cost of his piano lessons at school.

Niall commented: “I am very excited to have been offered a place at Leeds particularly because of the joint nature of the course, allowing me to follow my interest in both jazz and classical styles.”

Assistant Director of Music, Mary Perry, added: “The Leeds course is well suited to Niall and this is an excellent outcome. I am so pleased for him.”

Here is a clip of Niall performing ‘Man on a Mission’ by Gwilym Simcock which formed part of his audition video and was filmed at BMS just before Christmas.