Ella Stephens, reading a liberal arts degree at Durham University after completing her A-levels at Epsom in 2024, attended the world premier of her composition Melodie de la Rivière. Ella studied music at Epsom, and composed the piece as part of her A-level coursework. She subsequently entered a competition at Durham University and submitted the piece. She was “thrilled when it was selected as the winner”.
Freddy Wickham, Assistant Director of Music at Epsom College, praised Ella’s achievement: “Ella’s composition is a remarkable piece of work, far surpassing the standards typically expected from an A-level musician. It’s a testament to the dedication and effort she put into her studies during her time in the Sixth Form at Epsom College.”
He also shared that Ella’s success was the result of numerous extension task sessions that helped refine her compositional skills. “I’m absolutely thrilled to see her hard work and talent recognised in the academic music world at Durham University,” he said.
Click here to listen to Melodie de la Rivière by Ella Stephens (from her original A-level recording). The composition is a meditation on the flow of a river from its source to the sea.
The final orchestral recording is due to be released on Spotify in a few weeks.
