Meet Music Alumni Callum
From Jazz Band to the World Stage
Callum Garland (Alumni Class of 2018)
Callum came to us from Three Rivers Academy and loved studying both Music A Level and a Music Technology BTEC at Esher.
He has since turned his passion for guitar into a thriving music career. From choosing College Jazz Band as his extension study, he is now touring internationally as a professional musician. Here Callum reflects on the inspiration, guidance, and his experiences at Esher that helped him follow his dream to become a professional guitarist.
Subjects studied:
Music A Level
Music Technology BTEC
Mathematics A Level
Enrichment: Jazz Band, College Production and EPQ
“There was a real buzz (in the music department)… Everyone was always keen to keep playing, rehearsing and experimenting with music, so there was a great energy within the department.”
Callum
Callum recently returned to the College for a careers’ talk with our current Music and Music Production students. We catch up with him here;
Why did you choose Esher?
I wanted to study somewhere with an inspiring music department. I knew music was something I might want to pursue long term, and the A Level Music and BTEC Music Technology courses really appealed to me. They offered a great opportunity to develop my skills in an environment surrounded by other like-minded musicians.
I also liked that Esher was a large college. It gave me the chance to meet lots of new people, broaden my friendship circle, and enjoy the social side of college life.
What do you remember most about your time at Esher?
I spent a lot of time in the music department. There was a real buzz about the place that both I and the other students loved. Everyone was always keen to keep playing, rehearsing and experimenting with music, so there was a great energy within the department.
What were your course highlights at Esher?
Getting together in ensembles was always great fun, recording for Music Technology or performing pieces for A Level Music. Being in the jazz band was also an amazing experience. It really pushed me musically and helped build my confidence as a performer.
The trips organised by the music department were fantastic too, especially visiting the Royal Albert Hall.
How did your teachers inspire you?
The music teachers, Claire and Paul, and at the time Darren, were incredibly passionate about music. Their enthusiasm created such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that it never felt like a strict teacher–student relationship. It felt more like we all shared the same passion. That made a huge difference. It motivated me to work harder, and when things became challenging, having supportive and driven teachers really helped. They played a massive role in building my confidence as a performer, which I had struggled with before.
What did you do after Esher?
I went to study at BIMM Brighton, where I completed a degree in Professional Musicianship (Guitar). I also started to teach guitar and perform at functions, gigs and shows for independent artists.
What are you doing now?
I’m now a full-time professional guitarist. I perform live shows for artists including Lucy Spraggan, as well as corporate and function events, theatre productions and tribute shows.
Alongside live work, I also do recording sessions for various artists and producers, and I teach guitar privately.
When did you know you wanted a career in music?
I always knew I wanted to be a guitarist when I was older. When I started earning money from teaching and playing a few gigs at 16, it felt incredibly rewarding to make money doing something I genuinely enjoyed.
When I first started at Esher, I was still deciding between following a more mathematical route — something like accounting — or focusing fully on music. I studied Music, Music Technology, Economics and Maths.
Over time it became clear that music was what I was most passionate about and what I spent most of my time doing outside of college. That really answered my question about what I should do after college, and from that point on I decided to fully commit to music.
What has been your career highlight so far?
At the end of 2025, I completed a UK tour playing guitar for Lucy Spraggan. Being able to perform around Europe and see the world through my passion for music has been incredibly special.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably in the right environment to grow.
Mistakes are opportunities to reflect, learn and improve. Everyone’s journey progresses at a different pace, so try not to compare yourself to others.
Always perform to the best of your ability, you never know who might be in the room and what opportunities could come from it.
What advice would you give to current Esher students who might be interested in a similar career?
Keep practising. Work on your social skills. Be business-minded and build your social media presence so you can connect and network with others. Look for ways to keep investing in yourself and your learning. If you truly love what you do, you’ll be willing to put in the extra hours when things get tough. Consistency and perseverance are what build a career.
What is your favourite chocolate bar and why?
My favourite is Whittaker’s Dark Chocolate from New Zealand — it tastes unreal!
