CURRICULUM VITAE John Earls Full Name John Morris Earls, FTCL Date of Birth 09.06.1961 In Brief: Employment History 1986-1991 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 1991-1998 Repton Preparatory School 1998-2004 Bangkok Patana School 2004-2012 St. Andrews International School, Bangkok 2012-2013 International School, Brunei 2013- Anglo Singapore International School Education 1972-1979 Forest Grammar School, Winnersh, Berkshire 1979-1984 Trinity College of Music, London Qualifications 6 'O' Levels, 2 'A' Levels from Forest Grammar School FTCL (Masters Equivalent) LTCL (Teachers'), LTCL (Performers') from Trinity College of Music, London
2013- Anglo Singapore International School, Bangkok Head of Music When I came back from Brunei, I was lucky enough to be offered a job in this growing International School. I have set up a largely instrumental curriculum where all the students learn musical instruments in their music lessons. In P3, students learn the recorder and in P4 they learn the ukulele. Then, in P5 they start playing either the violin or the cello. They will continue with these instruments right through to the end of Sec 2. This gives all our students the chance to make substantial progress on their instruments and develop into competent musicians. In August 2014, I started teaching our first IGCSE Music class in Sec 3. I am hoping this will grow over the years all the way to having an 'A' Level music class in JC. Outside the classroom, we have a small String Orchestra, a Rock Band and a Secondary Choir. In coming years we will add a Primary Choir and some other small ensembles to encourage as much music making as possible. In 2014, we had our first ever Music Festival where students performed as soloists, in small groups and in classes during every break and lunchtime for a whole week. It was a great way to showcase the talents of our students and the highlight of the week was a Flashmob performance of 'Let it Go' by the whole of P5 in the Canteen during a Lunchtime. I am sure this Music Festival will become an annual event. Another school tradition in the making was our Christmas Concert last year. Every student in the school learned several traditional Christmas carols which provided the backbone of the event. In between these congregational carols, small groups and classes performed Christmas music and JC students shared readings about Christmas traditions around the world. Playing I do occasional concerts as a violinist and I regularly post videos of my playing on Youtube. This gives me great motivation to keep my playing at a high level and share my love of music with the widest possible audience. I also play drums in a Heavy Metal rock band which gives me probably the biggest possible contrast in musical activities. From the refinement of classical violin to the raw energy of 1980s hard rock is a huge range of experience which really helps me relate to musicians off all types. Hobbies I love to play golf, swim and take photographs.
2012-2013 International School Brunei Head of Secondary Music The Music department at ISB was in real decline when I arrived here last year. The only regularly rehearsing ensemble was the choir. I have continued the choir and started an orchestra which has performed each term and is already developing nicely. During Arts Week, I directed the whole of Year 9 in a Samba Performance and we had an evening of music featuring the Orchestra and Choir. I also had many students performing in Lunchtime Concerts as soloists and in small groups and our musicians have played in several assemblies, both in Secondary and Primary Schools, supporting special events like Francophonie Day and the Stone Soup Banquet. My teaching duties involve teaching all the Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 Music classes in IGCSE and IB plus a few KS3 classes as well. There are two other teachers who also teach other subjects who teach the remainder of KS3 Music. 2004-2012 St. Andrews International School, Bangkok Head of Music At St. Andrews, I created a music programme from scratch. Every student from Year 4 to Year 9 learns a musical instrument during their class music lessons. I started as the only music teacher, but the music department now has four full time music teachers one string specialist, one brass specialist, one woodwind specialist and a music technology specialist. This programme makes every child in the school a musician. All students are musically literate and make music together in a meaningful way. Years 10 and 11 have the option of taking Music IGCSE and Year 12 and 13 Students can take Music at IB and the uptake is growing each year (my current Year 11 IGCSE class has 10 students) By the time I left, we had an orchestra, two choirs and numerous small groups playing all styles of music from Piano Trio to Rock Bands. Music is alive at St. Andrews like I have never seen in any other school. More importantly, every student takes part in a Year Group Concert where they showcase the work they have been doing in their regular music lessons. There are also regular musical performances in Assemblies and school events and the school often puts on a musical as the school production. We often had visiting artists coming in to work with students and judge talent shows, giving our musicians a taste of the world outside. Training Jan 2005 May 2005 May 2006 Jan 2008 May 2009 Jan 2010 INSET on working with children with learning difficulties INSET on working with students for whom English is a second language INSET on management of successful teams IB Music intermediate training in Singapore INSET on Assessment for Learning Supporting the process of School Improvement with CfBT
1998-2004 Bangkok Patana School Head of Instrumental Music My major achievement at Patana was to raise the profile of Instrumental Music in the school. The number of students taking individual instrumental lessons grew from180 to 240 and in addition we started started an American style band/orchestra programme for Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9). The school had 2.5 music teachers in Primary, 3 music teachers in Secondary, with me having crosscampus responsibility for Instrumental Music. Two very different highlights of my time at Patana were as follows: 1. Leading the whole school, staff and parents (around 3,000 people) in the singing of One World, One Voice, One Song 2. Having two individual violin students in the Final of the Thailand National String Competition. My duties included: Responsibilty for the 14 visiting instrumental tutors including appraisal and training Music class teaching in Secondary School from Years 7-13 including IB Individual Violin and Viola teaching String class teaching Conducting Orchestra Band Choir Musical Director of School Plays Theory teaching Aural coaching Accompanying in exams and concerts Organising residential music camp Organising concerts and perfromances in school and out in the comminity INSET provider for: Creative and Performing Arts Faculty Instrumental tutors Early Years teachers Training Mar. 2000 INSET on counselling and behaviour management Nov. 2000 INSET on ICT in the curriculum May 2001 INSET by Dr. Melody Appleton on working with students with learning difficulties 2000-2001 Self study for ECIS and NEASAC accreditation School Life Group Playing Several years playing with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra including a short spell as Guest Concertmaster
1991-1998 Repton Preparatory School (Foremarke Hall) Assistant Director of Music and Head of Strings (until June 1995) Director of Music (from 1995-98) During my time at Foremarke, I dramatically increased the amount of ensemble playing in the school. When I arrived, there was one string orchestra, a band and a small orchestra; when I left, there were two string orchestras, three string quartets, two bands, a brass quartet, a flute quartet and a full symphony orchestra. Every year a group of our students would win music scholarships to major public schools and we had musicians playing and singing in all the IAPS music groups. My duties included Overall responsibility for the Music department, comprising 3 full time and 18 visiting staff Individual violin and viola teaching Classroom teaching to half the school (whole age range) Chamber music coaching Conducting String Orchestra Chamber Orchestra Symphony Orchestra Junior and Senior Choirs Musical Director of School Plays Theory teaching Aural coaching Repton Orchestra (helper/player) Hymn playing in assembly Piano accompanying in exams and concerts Tutor (mixed ages, years 5-8) Weekend boarding duties (during my first 4 years, I lived on campus) Electronic music club House Drama (director) Sports Day (chief scorer) Member of the Common Room Commitee Training June 1994 June 1996 MMA INSET course for new and aspiring Directors of Music Manchester University INSET course on music for infants Playing Having been a full time orchestral player, I stayed in touch with former colleagues and occasionally returned to play with the BSO. I also played regularly with the Midlands based Orchestra da Camera as Principal 1 st violin or Leader of the 2 nd Violins as well as playing with local orchestras and choral societies. I also performed regularly as a soloist in local concerts including many at Foremarke Hall.
1986-1991 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra First Violin (occasional periods as Sub-Principal) This was my first full-time job. We played three concerts most weeks; always working with world class conductors and soloists. We made award winning recordings, television appearances, played in all the major concert halls in the UK and toured extensively in Europe. Chamber Music Local concerts with colleagues including Blandford Music Week and Milton Abbey Festival. Light music at various functions. Teaching Bryanston School, Blandford Castle Court School, Corfe Mullen Private pupils Shortly after moving to Bournemouth, I started teaching at Bryanston and Castle Court schools, fitting the work around my orchestral schedule. I taught from beginners up to post Grade VIII including music scholars at both schools. I also coached chamber music at Castle Court. 1984-1986 Freelance Violinist After leaving college, I stayed in London doing a mixture of playing and teaching, while continuing my violin studies with Mr. Rodney Friend (Leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra) Playing Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera BBC Concert Orchestra BBC Radio Orchestra Northern Sinfonia London Concert Orchestra Phoenix String Quartet Teaching Southend Junior Music School Holland Park School Violin, Theory, Aural 15 private pupils
Education/Qualifications 1979-1984 Trinity College of Music, London Studied Violin with Nicholas Roth Piano with Margaret Newman Harmony and Composition with John Cardale Aural training with David Newbold History of Music with Felicity Young Principles of Teaching and Classroom Management with Alison Milne Qualifications FTCL Violin LTCL (Performers') Violin LTCL (Teachers') Violin Grade VIII with Honours Piano Orchestral Experience 1979 Symphony Orchestra 2 nd Violin 2 nd Violin 1980 Symphony Orchestra Principal 2 nd Violin 1981 Symphony Orchestra 1 st Violin 1 st Violin 1982 Chamber Orchestra 1 st Violin Opera Orchestra Leader 1983 Chamber Orchestra Leader Opera Orchestra Leader Leader Solo Work Played solo parts in Vivaldi Concerti with Many Student Concerts including: Dvorak Concerto Sonatas by Mozart Bruch Concerto Beethoven Mozart Concerti Brahms etc. Mendelssohn Concerto Pieces by Wieniawski Solo Bach Sarasate Ensemble Work Mostly String Quartets and Piano Trios Played 2 nd Violin in a series of concerts with Professor Roth and other members of staff (octets, quintets etc.) Helped coaching college and younger String Quartets Formed the Phoenix String Quartet which, as well as giving concerts, performed light music for parties and other functions Other Achievements Senior Student 1983-4 Alfred Gibson Prize for String Players (1983)
1972-79 Forest Grammar School, Winnersh, Berkshire 'O' Levels Maths (B) 1976 Music (A) 1977 English with spoken (B) 1977 French (B) 1977 Physics (B) 1977 Add. Maths (AO) (C) 1977 'A' Levels Music (A) 1979 French (C) 1979 Musical Experience Studied Violin with Roy Laing (1971-1979) Grade VIII (Distinction) 1976 Studied Piano with Paula Seddon (1967-1979) Grade VII (Merit) 1978 Also played Viola Orchestral experience Berkshire Youth Orchestra 1975-79 (Leader 1978-79) Reading Youth Orchestra 1976-79 School Orchestra 1973-79 (Leader 1975-79) Local amateur orchestras including Reading Symphony Orchestra Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra Solo Work Many concerts including Vivaldi Concerto in E (Spring from the Four Seasons) with the Berkshire Youth Orchestra (1977) Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with local professionals (1976)