One of the world’s greatest musicians and the first British-born pianist to be knighted in 45 years is heading to Shropshire in the latest coup by a county school determined to bring classical music’s biggest stars to a local venue.

Sir Stephen Hough will be the highlight of a new series of concerts unveiled by Wrekin College in Wellington.

His appearance follows previous performances by world-leading cellist Sheku Kanneh Mason at Wrekin which welcomes a calibre of musicians more frequently seen in globally renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.

Their appearances in Wellington are part of an ongoing programme, launched after the school opened its own Music School, aimed at ensuring established icons would appear in the same series as up and coming stars of the future at a school encouraging youngsters to enjoy all genres of music and more importantly, performing.

It also wanted to give a showcase to those at the beginning of a professional career.

Sir Stephen is at the heart of the 2025 programme which also includes pianist Jâms Coleman, who is back by popular demand after accompanying violinist Braimah Kanneh Mason last year.

In March, the school will again combine experience with youth as they welcome Walsall Jazz Orchestra who will share the bill with the school’s own national award-winning Jazz Band.

In May, current Wrekin teacher Chris Del Manso and former pupil Isobel Parker will join forces for an evening which pays tribute to the music of Elton John and Amy Winehouse.

A full-line up of all the school’s music ensembles including the award-winning Jazz Band and Concert Band, the Chapel Choir, Orchestra and Junior ensembles will feature in the summer concert in July.

Then on Wednesday 24 September, the school will welcome Sir Stephen, who has played with several of the world’s most famous and accomplished orchestras, including being the soloist at the Last Night of the Proms in 2024.

With over 60 albums in his repertoire and numerous Grammy nominations together with other awards, including eight Gramaphone Magazine awards his programme will feature a real variety of music. His programme includes Beethoven’s ‘Waldstein’ Sonata and Schumann’s ‘Carnaval’ shorter works (some lasting only 30 seconds) by Stockhausen and Schoenberg and of course his own arrangement of music from ‘Mary Poppins’ that he played to the audience’s delight at the proms last year.

To find out more about this year’s series of concerts at Wrekin College, please visit ticketsource.co.uk/wrekinarts