Glenalmond College's "An Audience With..." series is a selection of stories from some of our most successful OGs. In the form of Q&As, we are incredibly proud to showcase the journeys that started at Glenalmond and went on to become tales of inspiration, commitment and diversity.  We hope you enjoy what they have to say.

Should you be keen to share your story, or indeed reach out to these people, then please register with CollConnect if you haven't done so already, and/or contact us directly.

Katie Coventry

Home House (2003 – 2010)

Katie grew up in Perth and after attending prep school at Craigclowan, followed her older brother to Glenalmond in 2003, starting 2nd form as a day pupil in Home House.   Awarded a music scholarship, then Head of Music, Robert Gower, wasted no time encouraging Katie to join the Chapel and Chamber Choirs as well as the school Orchestra.  Shortly after Mr Gower encouraged Katie to audition for opportunities outside of college including the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.  

With a confidence to perform developed from a young age through solos in Chapel, concerts, competitions and productions through the Glenalmond Music and Drama departments, Katie went on to study history with music at Royal Holloway, University of London. Later graduating with First Class Honours. Katie commenced vocal training as a post graduate at the Royal College of Music (RCM) and would then go on to be a Harewood Artist at English National Opera  followed by the Salzburg Festival.

Having stayed on in Salzburg as a company member at the State Opera House, Katie has now returned to Scotland and is based in Edinburgh. She performs around the UK and Europe at events including Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Real Madrid, Göttingen Handel Festival, Nederlandse Reisopera and has sung with Orchestras including The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Hallé. 

We talk to Katie about her time at Glenalmond, cups of tea in the common room and getting back on stage to perform after months in lockdown due to Covid-19

Best thing about Glenalmond?

One of the  best things about Glenalmond is the range of extra-curricular activity; the many outings on offer and the flexibility to work around other outside commitments.   I was a keen sports player in my junior years and played club and county netball which the school managed to work around.   There are so many different things offered to suit all skills and interests from kayaking, to debating to opera club.   In addition, the teachers themselves are a crucial part of what makes the school special.   The teachers I had, at A Level in particular, inspired my curiosity and dedication.   Although expecting the highest results, as they should, their support inside and out of the classroom made all the difference to my experiences and what I achieved.   I remember walking through the quad one day, feeling pretty overwhelmed with balancing my busy schedule. My history teacher spotted me, took me into his classroom to chat and helped put everything in perspective.   On another occasion, my music teacher drove me all the way to Manchester for an advice audition at the Royal Northern when I was considering whether to choose a University or Conservatoire route, whilst both of my Spanish teachers encouraged a fun approach and perseverance with languages, French and Spanish, something which is vital in my career now.  Sadly two of these teachers are no longer with us, Robin Mundill and John Gillespie. I’d like to mention those two in particular and highlight just how special they were to me as a student and how grateful I am for their lessons, insights and advice.

Best memory from Glenalmond?

I don’t know if I can choose just one best memory from Glenalmond.   I think it would be the times spent with my friends in those precious minutes of down time.   Anything from chatting over a cup of tea in the common room, to getting ready for our first St. Andrews Ball, walking over to watch the rugby on a cold and muddy Saturday morning, writing physics equations on the windows in the morning bus, to test each other before our GCSE,  or just sitting on front slopes on a beautiful summers day.

What advice would you have for others who wanted to follow in your footsteps?

My top advice for aspiring musicians and singers would be firstly, go to as many concerts as possible and take as many opportunities as you can to perform.   I would also advise working on languages as unfortunately the UK is quite limited compared to the rest of Europe when it comes to funding and opportunities for musicians.   If you can learn another language, especially German or French, that will prove very useful.

What advice would you have for a Third Form student when it comes to careers?

For a 3rd former, some of you might already know what your passions are, some of you might have no idea.   Try everything, see what fits and work hard.   The students at Glenalmond are very strong and talented in a number of areas but its a big world out there so don’t lose sight of that.   If you can find time in the school holidays, be curious and find out about other opportunities whether that be volunteering, work experience or joining an interesting club.

Career highlights / low lights?

The last couple of years have been extremely hard.   Losing all of my work when Covid hit was heartbreaking.   It really cemented in me how much I love my job and how much audiences value what we bring them.   A memorable highlight was my return on stage with a live audience.   It was a production of Elektra at the Salzburg Festival, and although there was a masked, limited audience, we had the full Vienna Philharmonic in the pit and as I held hands with my colleagues at the curtain call, I was so overwhelmed at the reception we received and what it meant to everyone to be there making art and escaping for a short while.

A lot of people have preconceptions about Opera.   They think it is a big lady standing on stage, warbling away in a language they don’t understand and music they won’t like.   If you’ve never been, give it a try! There are so many different genres with exciting sets, amazing costumes, innovative designs and of course exquisite music that bring stories to life with an unparalleled emotional impact.    We also have to be very careful with our bodies by eating well and staying fit as this is our instrument.

What are the biggest lessons from Glenalmond (both in and out the classroom) you carry with you in life?

The biggest lessons I learnt from Glenalmond were to ask questions, be interested, be involved, learn how to manage your time and see through your commitments.

How do you ensure you keep a good work life balance?

I’m still very much working on it, but now that I am living in Edinburgh I find that I’m able to balance things much better.   I can enjoy being away from home or abroad working. I really disappear inside that bubble when I’m away, but I know that when I come back, I have my friends and family around me to keep me grounded. I’m so thankful for all of the support I receive from my loved ones.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I am lucky in being able to travel widely for my job.   I loved living in Salzburg and go back there regularly for work and to visit friends, but my favourite city in which to live and work so far is Madrid.   I loved the culture, the food, the people, even the way the working day is run.   I lived in London for 10 years and really enjoyed being in such a cosmopolitan city with easy access to so much culture on the doorstep but I’m a home bird at heart and missed family and the countryside back in the north .   Covid was a time when  I really examined and reevaluated my work life balance and moving to Edinburgh was one of the best decisions I have made.

If you could rewind the clock to be back at school, what one thing would you change and why?

If I could go back, I would worry less about ‘fitting in’.   I was very confident in my decision to pursue music but it wasn’t always the popular choice amongst my peers which I sometimes found quite hard.   I would say, yes, have a good time, get involved in things socially, but it’s your future so work hard, take every opportunity offered and believe in yourself.

Where would you say are the top three places to visit in the UK?

My top three places to visit in the UK would include Brighton, there’s so much going on and it’s such a diverse and fun city.   Liverpool, I worked there recently and was so struck by the friendliness of the locals and the eclectic history of the city.  Then finally, Perthshire.   There’s nothing quite like coming home and being surrounded by nature.

Katie's website can be visited at the following address along with contact details should you want to learn more: www.katiecoventry.com