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MILLFIELD'S NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC IS FORMER OPERA SINGER
Julian Jensen, an opera singer who once outperformed Pavarotti, is to become Millfield School's next Director of Music in September.
Although he trained as a teacher in 1985, his initial career was as a singer for 14 years with some of Europe's leading opera companies including D'Oyly Carte, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, Opera de Lyon and English Touring Opera.
Julian, who is 45, has also worked on many projects for film and television. He took the part of an opera singer in the 1999 film One More Kiss with the now Hollywood heart-throb Gerard Butler. His recording of Lucio Dalla's Caruso in the film's soundtrack was very well reviewed and chosen as a critics' choice over Pavarotti's version.
Before launching into a teaching career, Julian spent a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company playing the singer Balthazar in Much Ado About Nothing.
He has been a leader in opera education becoming Head of Education of Opera Education Ltd (2001-2003). Previous posts include: Choral Conducting Tutor for East Sussex Music Service, Education Officer for the Carl Rosa Opera Company and Workshop Leader with English Touring Opera.
He is currently Director of Music at Woldingham School, Surrey, a post he has held since 2007and where he has developed a high standard of choral singing leading to the school winning a Bronze Award at the 2009 Rimini International Choral Competition. Before that he was for four years Director of Music at Imberhorne School, East Grinstead.
Millfield School has some of the best music facilities of any school in the country. A few years ago it invested in a state of the art concert hall and music school with superb acoustics and elaborate sound insulation. It has a studio suite, six music classrooms and 22 practice rooms. Over 30 ensembles perform in over 40 concerts annually.
Mr Craig Considine, Headmaster of Millfield, said: "Julian brings to Millfield the experience of a varied and busy singing career both in and outside teaching and his enthusiasm for choral singing and public performances will be inspiring."
